Literary Term Personification

Literary Term Personification

It is a figure of speech in which lifeless objects are given life. It brings life to the descriptions by attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects, nature, or animals.

Functions of Personification: Here are a few ways functions of personification manifest in literature:

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1. Giving Human Traits: It’s like making something that isn’t human—like an object, an animal, or a natural force—act or behave as if it were human.
2. Creating Vivid Imagery: By using personification, writers make their descriptions more lively and imaginative. It helps readers relate to or understand something abstract or inanimate by giving it familiar human characteristics.
3. Emphasizing Emotions: Personification helps to convey emotions or feelings through objects or nature. 

1. Enhancing Storytelling: Writers use personification to make their stories more engaging and relatable. It can help create a connection between the reader and the subject being personified.
2. Adding Depth to Writing: By attributing human qualities to non-human things, authors can add depth and layers of meaning to their writing. It can symbolize ideas or produce specific moods.
3. Expressing Symbolism: Sometimes, personification is used to symbolize larger concepts or themes. For example, in a story, a river might be personified to represent the passage of time or the continuity of life.

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1. Engaging the Reader’s Imagination: It encourages readers to use their imagination to visualize and understand the world created by the writer, making the reading experience more enjoyable and thought-provoking.