Personification

Defining Personification (Figure of Speech)

introduction

Personification, a powerful literary device, breathes life into the inanimate by bestowing human qualities upon non-human entities or abstract ideas.

This article will delve into this figure of speech, offering clear definitions and vivid examples to illuminate its richness and versatility.

Let’s start with defining personification!

What is Personification?

Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object.

Let’s illustrate this figure of speech with some examples:

  1. “The wind whispered through the trees.”
    • Explanation: In this example, the wind is personified by ascribing the human action of whispering to it. This personification enhances the imagery of the wind gently rustling through the trees, creating a sense of intimacy and connection with nature.
  2. “The stars danced in the night sky.”
    • Explanation: Here, the stars are personified by attributing the human action of dancing to them. This personification adds a sense of vitality and animation to the scene, portraying the stars as lively and joyous as they twinkle and shimmer against the backdrop of the night sky.
  3. “The sun smiled down upon the earth.”
    • Explanation: In this instance, the sun is personified by describing it as smiling. By attributing the human emotion of happiness to the sun, this personification imbues the scene with warmth and benevolence, evoking a sense of comfort and positivity as the sun’s rays illuminate the earth.

These examples demonstrate how personification enriches language by infusing non-human entities with human qualities, thereby enhancing the imagery and emotional impact of the writing.

Why Do Writers and Poets Use Personification?

Writers and poets frequently employ personification as a powerful literary device to add depth, vividness, and emotional resonance to their work. By attributing human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts, personification serves several purposes:

  • Enhanced imagery: Personification brings inanimate objects or natural elements to life, making them more tangible and relatable for readers.
  • Emotional impact: By humanizing elements of nature or abstract ideas, writers evoke emotional responses from readers, fostering empathy and connection.
  • Imaginative expression: Personification allows writers to explore and convey complex ideas or themes in a creative and engaging manner.
  • Creating atmosphere: Personification contributes to the creation of mood and atmosphere within a piece of writing, setting the tone and enhancing the overall ambiance.
  • Symbolism and metaphor: Through personification, writers can employ symbolic or metaphorical language to convey deeper meanings and layers of interpretation, enriching the text with nuance and depth.

Common Examples of Personification in Everyday Conversations

Here are some common examples of personification that often occur in everyday conversations:

  1. “The sun is smiling down on us today.”
    • In this example, the sun is personified by attributing the human action of smiling to it, implying that the weather is pleasant and cheerful.
  2. “The car is refusing to start.”
    • Here, the car is personified as if it has the ability to make decisions or exhibit human-like behavior by “refusing” to start, suggesting mechanical issues or difficulties.
  3. “The flowers are reaching towards the sunlight.”
    • In this instance, the flowers are personified by describing them as if they have the intention to seek out and move towards sunlight, demonstrating their growth and vitality.
  4. “The storm clouds are angry and ready to burst.”
    • The storm clouds are personified with human emotions, being described as “angry” and on the verge of “bursting,” conveying the imminent threat of rain or a thunderstorm.
  5. “The old house groaned as the wind blew.”
    • Here, the house is personified as if it is capable of emitting sounds like a person, with the word “groaned” suggesting that it is creaking or making noise in response to the wind.
  6. “The city that never sleeps.”
    • In this phrase, the city is personified by attributing the human characteristic of wakefulness to it. By describing the city as “never sleeping,” it creates an image of constant activity and bustling energy as if the city itself possesses a perpetual state of alertness and liveliness.
  7. “The howling wind battered against the windows.”
    • Here, the wind is personified by ascribing the human action of howling to it. By describing the wind as “howling,” it portrays the wind as if it were a living creature capable of vocalizing sounds. This personification adds intensity and emotion to the description of the wind’s sound, evoking a sense of wildness or fierceness.
  8. “Actions speak louder than words.”
    • This phrase personifies actions and words by suggesting that actions have a voice or impact that is stronger than mere verbal expression. By attributing the ability to speak (metaphorically) to actions, it emphasizes the importance and effectiveness of deeds over mere speech, conveying the idea that actions can convey meaning and intentions more powerfully than words

These examples illustrate how personification is seamlessly woven into everyday language to express emotions, describe phenomena, and convey experiences in a more vivid and engaging manner.

Examples of Personification in Literature

Personification, a ubiquitous literary device, finds frequent application in both prose and poetry. Its usage enriches texts by imbuing non-human entities or abstract concepts with human-like qualities, thereby enabling writers to evoke vivid imagery, convey complex emotions, and impart deeper meanings to their narratives.

Let’s explore some examples!

1. William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”:

Let’s start with William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. In the Prologue, the Chorus says:

“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”

From “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

In this Prologue, Shakespeare uses personification by attributing human qualities to abstract concepts and natural elements.

The phrase “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes” personifies fate or destiny by describing it as having “fatal loins,” suggesting a sense of inevitability and predestination.

Additionally, the term “star-cross’d lovers” personifies fate further by implying that the stars themselves are actively influencing or opposing the romantic union of Romeo and Juliet.

Through these instances of personification, Shakespeare enhances the thematic elements of fate and destiny, emphasizing their role in shaping the tragic events of the play.

2. William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”:

Let’s discuss another example of this stylistic device in William Shakespeare’s plays. Here is an excerpt from “Hamlet”:

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

From “Hamlet” By William Shakespeare

The phrase “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” is an example of personification. Personification is the attribution of human qualities to non-human entities.

Here, “fortune” is personified by being described as having the ability to shoot “slings and arrows,” which are typically associated with human actions. By attributing these actions to “fortune,” Shakespeare creates vivid imagery and emphasizes the challenges and adversities that individuals face in life.

This personification highlights the unpredictable and often harsh nature of fate or circumstance, framing life’s struggles as if they were deliberate attacks from a sentient force.

3. William Blake’s Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow Room:

Let’s explore another example of personification in poetry. Notice the use of personification in William Blake’s poem below:

Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow Room

“Ah, William, we’re weary of weather,”
said the sunflowers, shining with dew.
“Our traveling habits have tired us.
Can you give us a room with a view?”

They arranged themselves at the window
and counted the steps of the sun,
and they both took root in the carpet
where the topaz tortoises run.

William Blake (1757-1827)

In this poem excerpt, the sunflowers are personified as they express weariness with the weather and request a change in scenery. They are depicted arranging themselves at a window, observing the movement of the sun, and taking root in the carpet, exhibiting human-like behavior and interaction with their surroundings.

Here is another example by Emily Dickinson:

“Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –  
And Immortality.”

From “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson

In this excerpt from Emily Dickinson’s poem, personification is evident in the portrayal of Death as a kind and considerate entity. By describing Death as “kindly” stopping for the speaker, Dickinson personifies Death, attributing human-like qualities of kindness and consideration to it.

This personification adds depth to the portrayal of Death, presenting it not as a frightening or menacing figure, but rather as a gentle escort on the journey towards eternity.

Conclusion

Personification is a versatile and powerful literary tool that adds depth and vividness to written works. It is used to animate the inanimate, infuse abstract concepts with tangible qualities, and create compelling imagery that resonates with readers.

Incorporating this figure of speech into your writing enhances its expressiveness, fosters emotional connections with the audience, and elevates the overall richness of your prose or poetry. By embracing this creative technique, writers can breathe life into their narratives, making them more engaging, memorable, and evocative.

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Tags: Figures of Speech
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