Personification is a literary technique that assigns human characteristics to non-human entities. It serves to make abstract ideas or inanimate objects relatable and vivid.
Let’s start with a simple sentence:
“The clock ticked loudly in the silent room.”
Now, let’s add some personification:
“The clock’s relentless ticking echoed like a persistent reminder of time marching on.”
See the difference? The second sentence gives the clock a human-like quality (relentless), making the scene more vivid and emotionally resonant.
What Is Personification?
Personification is a literary device where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract ideas.
This technique helps readers relate to non-human elements by giving them human-like emotions, behaviors, or characteristics.
Here are some examples of personification:
- The wind whispered through the trees.
- Time flies when you’re having fun.
- The computer stubbornly refused to cooperate.
In these examples, non-human elements (wind, time, and a computer) are given human-like attributes (whispering, flying, and stubbornness), making them relatable and vivid in the reader’s imagination.
Personification vs. Anthropomorphism
Personification and anthropomorphism are similar in that they both assign human traits to non-human entities. However, they differ in their scope and application.
Personification is a figurative language device used in literature to give human-like qualities to animals, objects, or abstract concepts for symbolic or emotional effect.
For example, “The sun smiled down on us” personifies the sun, implying warmth and happiness but not suggesting the sun actually has a human face or emotions.
Anthropomorphism involves attributing human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, often used in art, literature, or religion, where animals, deities, or natural phenomena are depicted with human forms or behaviors.
Think of cartoons where animals talk and behave like people. This goes beyond symbolic representation, as the entities are portrayed as literally having human characteristics.
Why Use Personification?
Personification is a powerful writing technique that adds depth and resonance to your writing.
It helps readers connect with non-human elements on an emotional level, making your storytelling more engaging and memorable.
Here are the main ways to use personification in your writing:
1. Evoking Emotions
Personification can evoke strong emotions by giving human-like qualities to objects or ideas, allowing readers to empathize and feel a deeper connection.
Example:
“The old house groaned under the weight of its memories, each creak a whisper of forgotten laughter.”
2. Creating Atmosphere
Adding human traits to elements of nature or inanimate objects can help create a specific mood or atmosphere in your writing.
Example:
“The moon hid behind the clouds, casting a shroud of mystery over the deserted street.”
3. Enhancing Imagery
Personification can make your descriptions more vivid and imaginative, painting a clearer picture in the reader’s mind.
Example:
“The river danced playfully over the rocks, its laughter echoing through the valley.”
4. Simplifying Complex Ideas
By giving human characteristics to abstract concepts, you can make complex ideas more relatable and easier to understand.
Example:
“Hope, a stubborn friend, clung to her side even in the darkest times.”
5. Adding Depth to Themes
Personification can add layers of meaning to your themes, making them more nuanced and thought-provoking.
Example:
“Justice, blindfolded and impartial, weighed the scales with a steady hand.”
Personification Examples
We’ve already shared some examples above, but here’s a list of famous examples of personification in literature:
Example 1:
“My little horse must think it queer / To stop without a farmhouse near / Between the woods and frozen lake / The darkest evening of the year.” – “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
Here, the horse is given human-like thinking ability, adding depth to the scene and highlighting the unusual nature of the speaker’s actions.
Example 2:
“Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –” (“Because I Could Not Stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson)
Death is personified as a considerate figure who stops for the speaker, creating a sense of inevitability and acceptance.
Example 3:
“When it comes, the landscape listens, / Shadows hold their breath” (“A Certain Slant of Light” by Emily Dickinson)
Here, the landscape is given the human ability to listen, and shadows are personified as holding their breath, adding to the poem’s eerie and tense atmosphere.
These examples illustrate how personification can add depth, emotion, and vivid imagery to writing, making it a powerful tool for authors.
How to Add Personification to Your Writing
Adding personification to your writing can be a fun and creative way to enhance your storytelling. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Identify the Element You Want to Personify
Start by identifying the non-human element you want to give human traits to. This could be anything from a natural element (like the wind or the sun) to an abstract concept (like time or love).
2. Choose Human Traits
Think about what human qualities or actions would best convey the mood, atmosphere, or theme you want to create. The traits you choose should align with the overall tone and message of your writing.
3. Use Descriptive Language
Use vivid and descriptive language to bring your personification to life. The more specific and detailed your descriptions, the more vivid and engaging your personification will be.
4. Consider the Context
Think about how your personification fits into the overall context of your writing. Does it enhance the mood or atmosphere? Does it add depth to your themes or characters? Make sure your personification serves a purpose and doesn’t feel forced or out of place.
5. Use Personification Sparingly
While personification can be a powerful tool, it’s important not to overdo it. Too much personification can make your writing feel overly figurative or distract from the main story. Use it strategically to enhance key moments or themes in your writing.
Common Personification Mistakes
Personification is a powerful tool but can be tricky to master. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using personification in your writing:
1. Overusing Personification
Using personification too frequently can dilute its impact and make your writing feel forced or contrived. Save personification for key moments where it can have the greatest effect. For example, instead of saying “the stars danced, the moon smiled, and the wind sang,” pick one strong image to focus on.
2. Inconsistent Personification
Make sure your personification is consistent and logical within the context of your story. For instance, if you’ve personified the wind as a gentle healer, don’t suddenly describe it as a violent attacker without a clear reason for the shift in characterization.
3. Using Clichés
Avoid using overly familiar or clichéd personifications, like “time flies,” or “the sun smiled.” Instead, try to find fresh and original ways to give human qualities to non-human elements. For example, instead of “time flies,” you might say “time slipped through her fingers like a mischievous ghost.”
4. Confusing Personification with Other Devices
Don’t confuse personification with other literary devices, like anthropomorphism or metaphor. Remember, personification involves giving human traits to non-human things, while metaphors compare two different things, and anthropomorphism involves making non-human things behave as humans.
5. Ignoring the Tone and Theme
Ensure your personification aligns with the overall tone and theme of your writing. For example, if you’re writing a dark, moody piece, a playful personification might feel out of place. Make sure your personification contributes to the mood and message you’re trying to convey.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use personification effectively to enhance your writing and create a more vivid and engaging reading experience.
How to Practice Personification
Practicing personification can help you become more comfortable and skilled in using this literary device in your writing. Here are some exercises to help you practice personification:
1. Create a Personification Journal
Keep a journal where you dedicate a page to each object, nature element, or abstract concept. Write down all the human qualities or actions you can think of for each one. This will help you practice thinking creatively and coming up with unique personifications.
2. Rewrite Descriptions
Take a simple description of a scene or object and rewrite it using personification. For example, if you have a sentence like “The rain fell on the roof,” rewrite it with personification: “The rain danced a rhythmic tune on the roof, each drop a playful step.”
3. Use Writing Prompts
Use writing prompts that encourage you to use personification. For example, “Describe a thunderstorm from the perspective of an angry giant,” or “Write about a garden where the flowers gossip about the gardener.”
4. Read Examples
Read books or poems known for their use of personification. Pay attention to how the author uses this device to enhance their writing, and try to incorporate similar techniques into your own work.
5. Share and Get Feedback
Share your personification exercises with others and ask for feedback. Others can provide valuable insights and help you see areas where you can improve or try new techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is personification?
Personification is a literary device that gives human qualities or characteristics to non-human things, like objects, animals, or abstract ideas, to make them relatable and vivid.
Can you give an example of personification?
Sure! An example of personification would be: “The wind whispered secrets through the trees.” Here, the wind is given the human action of whispering, creating a vivid image of the natural world.
How is personification different from anthropomorphism?
While both involve giving human traits to non-human entities, personification is more about giving human qualities or emotions to non-human things for figurative purposes. In contrast, anthropomorphism involves actually portraying non-human things as having human characteristics, like animals talking and behaving like humans.
Why do authors use personification?
Authors use personification to make their writing more engaging and relatable. By giving human characteristics to non-human things, authors can evoke emotions, create vivid imagery, and make abstract concepts easier to understand.
Can you overuse personification?
Yes, overusing personification can make your writing feel forced or contrived. It’s best to use personification sparingly and strategically, so it has a stronger impact on the reader.