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Personification (Pexels.com/Suzy Hazelwood) |
Have you ever heard of the term "personification" in literature? In this article, we will discuss what personification is, provide some examples of how it is used, and explain why it is an important literary device.
What is Personification?
Personification is a literary device in which a non-human object or idea is given human-like characteristics.
This is done to make the object or idea more relatable or to give it a deeper meaning.
In personification, the object or idea is treated as if it were a person, with emotions, desires, and actions that are typically associated with humans.
Examples of Personification
Here are some examples of personification that you may have come across in literature or everyday language:
"The wind howled in the night."
"The sun smiled down on us."
"The flowers danced in the wind."
"The door protested as she tried to push it open."
"The darkness swallowed everything in its path."
In these examples, the wind, sun, flowers, door, and darkness are all given human-like characteristics.
The wind is given the ability to howl, the sun is given the ability to smile, the flowers are given the ability to dance, the door is given the ability to protest, and the darkness is given the ability to swallow.
The Importance of Personification in Literature
Personification is an important literary device because it helps to create vivid imagery and a deeper understanding of the subject being described.
By giving non-human objects and ideas human-like characteristics, the reader is able to connect with them on a more emotional level.
Personification also adds depth and complexity to a piece of writing, as it allows the writer to convey complex ideas and emotions through simple, relatable language.
In addition, personification can also be used to create a metaphor or a symbol.
For example, in the poem "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats, the nightingale is personified as a "dark shadowy" bird that represents the fleeting nature of life.
By using personification in this way, Keats is able to convey a complex idea about the nature of life in a simple and relatable way.
