key term - Personification

Definition

Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to non-human entities or abstract concepts. This technique enhances the reader's connection to the subject, allowing emotions and traits typically associated with humans to breathe life into inanimate objects, animals, or ideas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Personification can make writing more relatable by giving emotions to objects or ideas that otherwise wouldn’t be able to express them, helping readers connect on a personal level.
2. This device is frequently used in poetry to create vivid imagery and enhance the emotional impact of the poem.
3. In creative writing, personification can help set the mood by allowing elements of nature or settings to express feelings that reflect the characters' emotions.
4. Many famous authors, including William Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, effectively used personification to convey complex themes and emotions in their works.
5. Personification often serves to simplify complex concepts by making them more understandable and engaging for the reader.

Review Questions

• How does personification enhance the emotional appeal in literary works?
  • Personification enhances emotional appeal by attributing human qualities to non-human elements, allowing readers to connect emotionally with those elements. For example, when a storm is described as 'angry,' it evokes feelings of tension and fear. This connection helps to convey the mood of a scene or the internal struggles of characters more powerfully than simple descriptions would.
• In what ways does personification contribute to the creation of imagery in poetry?
  • Personification contributes significantly to imagery in poetry by transforming abstract concepts or inanimate objects into relatable characters with emotions and motivations. For instance, describing autumn as 'whispering secrets' creates a sensory image that allows readers to visualize and feel the season's essence. This technique deepens readers' engagement and enhances their understanding of the poem's themes.
• Evaluate the role of personification in Shakespearean plays and its impact on character development and themes.
  • In Shakespearean plays, personification plays a crucial role in character development and thematic exploration. By giving human traits to abstract concepts like love, fate, or time, Shakespeare allows audiences to grasp complex themes on a deeper level. For example, when love is depicted as a 'fickle' character, it reveals its unpredictable nature, reflecting the tumultuous emotions experienced by the characters. This use of personification not only adds depth to the narrative but also invites audiences to reflect on their own experiences with these themes.

Related terms

Metaphor:

A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, suggesting that one thing is another.

Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures for the reader.

Anthropomorphism: The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to animals or non-human entities, often used in storytelling and fables.