Personification

Exploring Personification in Literature and Beyond

Personification is a widely used literary device that bestows human qualities to non-human entities. It is often employed to describe nature, mundane objects, or intangible concepts like love or death.

The word "personification" literally means giving human form to something. Like other figurative language techniques such as metaphor and simile, personification conveys an idea or emotion in a non-literal manner.

Examples of Personification

To better grasp the concept of personification, let's examine some examples. In everyday language, we often use phrases like:

• A raging storm
• The groaning floorboards
• This room is crying out for new wallpaper

These phrases attribute human emotions or actions to inanimate objects, allowing us to envision and comprehend the situation better.

Personification in Poetry

Poets frequently utilize personification to add depth and emotion to their writing. For example:

• "The modest rose puts forth a thorn" (William Blake, The Lily, 1794) - By describing the rose as "modest," Blake gives it a personality and explains why it may grow a thorn.
• "The sink chokes on soggy bread" (Lemn Sissay, Remembering the Good Times We Never Had, 2008) - Here, the personification lies in the idea of a sink choking on something, providing a vivid image of a clogged drain.
• "The frisbee winning the race against its own shadow" (Roger McGough, "Everyday Eclipses," 2002) - By suggesting that the frisbee is competing with its shadow, McGough adds a playful touch to the poem.

Personification in Song Lyrics

Song lyrics also often utilize personification to evoke emotion and add depth to the lyrics. Some examples include:

• "Hello darkness, my old friend" (Simon & Garfunkel, "The Sound of Silence", 1964) - In this famous line, darkness is directly addressed as if it were a person, giving us insight into the singer's mindset.
• "I met this girl when I was ten years old, And what I loved most, she had so much soul" (Common, "I Used to Love HER", 1994) - This song personifies the culture of hip hop as a woman, describing their evolving relationship over the years.
• "The sun comes swaggering across the harbor, And kisses the lady waiting in the narrows" (Grace Jones, The Apple Stretching, 1982) - In this song, the sun's bold and confident personality mirrors the attitude of the city.

Personification in Fiction

In novels and short stories, writers also employ personification to enhance the story and characters. For example:

• "... the brass yaw of the elevator stood mockingly open, inviting her to step in and take the ride of her life." (Stephen King, The Shining) - King uses personification to give the elevator a sinister and mocking tone towards the protagonist.
• "... certain airs, detached from the body of the wind (the house was ramshackle after all) crept round corners and ventured indoors." (Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse, 1927) - This description of drafts blowing through an empty house personifies them as intruders, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
• "Would you be in any way offended if I said that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection?" - In this line from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, the speaker uses personification to describe someone as the embodiment of perfection.

In conclusion, personification is a powerful literary device that adds depth, emotion, and imagery to writing. By attributing human qualities to non-human elements, it allows us to better understand and connect with the world around us in a unique and imaginative way.

The Power of Personification in Literature: Definition, Examples, and Impact

Personification is a writing technique that personifies non-human things by giving them human attributes. This adds depth and emotion to descriptions and can make writing more engaging for readers. Let's explore some examples, learn how to pronounce it correctly, and understand the impact of this literary device.

• For instance, a storm can be described as "raging", giving it human emotions and qualities.
• Another example is Father Time, a character who symbolizes time and is often depicted as an elderly man with a long beard.

How is "personification" pronounced? The correct pronunciation is per-son-uh-fi-kay-shun, with emphasis on the "son" as in "don" or "con".

What is the effect of personification? This literary device creates a vivid image and makes descriptions more interesting. It also adds depth to inanimate objects and helps readers visualize abstract concepts. For example, the Grim Reaper personifies death, making it easier to understand and relate to.

Additionally, personification can be used to represent abstract concepts through characters. For example, Cupid symbolizes love, while Mother Nature embodies nature. Other characters, such as Death and Uncle Sam, also personify concepts like mortality and patriotism. Even real people can be described as personifications of abstract ideas, like "the personification of kindness" for someone who dedicates their life to helping others.

This literary device is often used in literature, song lyrics, and poetry to add emotion and enhance the overall atmosphere of a piece. It can also serve as a powerful tool to convey a specific idea or opinion, making it a valuable addition to a writer's toolbox.

Personification is often confused with anthropomorphism, which gives non-human things human-like qualities in a literal sense. For example, Disney's Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are anthropomorphized animals, while Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are anthropomorphized trains. In contrast, personification uses characters symbolically to represent abstract concepts, as seen with the Grim Reaper as a representation of death. This distinction highlights the unique effects of each literary device.

In conclusion, personification is a powerful literary tool that adds emotion and imagery to writing. It helps readers connect with abstract concepts through relatable characters. Remember to distinguish between personification and anthropomorphism for the best impact on your writing. By incorporating personification into your writing, you can elevate its impact and make it more engaging for readers.