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Questions and Answers
Personification is a figure of speech that compares non-human entities, objects, or concepts to ______ characteristics or traits.
human
By attributing ______ qualities to non-human subjects, personification enriches the narrative and evokes more vivid imagery in the reader's mind.
human
Personification serves several purposes in literature and poetry: 1. Developing ______: By assigning human characteristics to non-human entities, personification helps readers connect with the subject matter, making it more relatable and understandable.
Relatability
Personification can make abstract concepts more concrete and easier for readers to visualize, allowing them to better understand the underlying message or ______.
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Personification can make scenes more interesting and engaging by giving life to non-human objects or characters, making the narrative more dynamic and ______.
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In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," the poet personifies death as a carriage driver, giving the concept of mortality a more ______ quality.
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In John Knowles' novel "A Separate Peace," the author uses personification to describe the relationship between the main characters and their books, suggesting that books can be considered companions, similar to a ______ or animal.
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In everyday language, personification is commonly used to describe natural phenomena, such as the "smile" of the sun or the "whispers" of the ______.
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While personification and anthropomorphism share some similarities, they are not the ______.
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Although both involve giving human characteristics to non-human subjects, personification specifically focuses on inanimate objects, abstract ideas, or non-human ______.
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Study Notes
Figure of Speech: Personification
Personification is a figure of speech that compares non-human entities, objects, or concepts to human characteristics or traits. It is a form of metaphor that allows writers to describe inanimate objects, abstract ideas, or non-human animals in a more interesting and engaging way. By attributing human qualities to non-human subjects, personification enriches the narrative and evokes more vivid imagery in the reader's mind.
Purpose of Personification
Personification serves several purposes in literature and poetry:
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Developing Relatability: By assigning human characteristics to non-human entities, personification helps readers connect with the subject matter, making it more relatable and understandable.
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Enhancing Visualization: Personification can make abstract concepts more concrete and easier for readers to visualize, allowing them to better understand the underlying message or theme.
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Creating Engaging Scenes: Personification can make scenes more interesting and engaging by giving life to non-human objects or characters, making the narrative more dynamic and entertaining.
Examples of Personification in Literature and Poetry
Personification can be found in various works of literature and poetry. Here are a few examples:
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In Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," the poet personifies death as a carriage driver, giving the concept of mortality a more human-like quality.
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In John Knowles' novel "A Separate Peace," the author uses personification to describe the relationship between the main characters and their books, suggesting that books can be considered companions, similar to a person or animal.
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In everyday language, personification is commonly used to describe natural phenomena, such as the "smile" of the sun or the "whispers" of the wind.
Personification vs. Anthropomorphism
While personification and anthropomorphism share some similarities, they are not the same. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human qualities to human beings, while personification extends this concept to non-human entities. Although both involve giving human characteristics to non-human subjects, personification specifically focuses on inanimate objects, abstract ideas, or non-human animals.
In conclusion, personification is a powerful figure of speech that allows writers to enrich their narrative and evoke more vivid imagery in the reader's mind. By attributing human qualities to non-human entities, personification can make abstract concepts more concrete, develop relatability, and enhance the overall engagement of the narrative.
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Description
Explore the concept of personification, a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics or traits to non-human entities, objects, or concepts. Learn about its purpose in literature and poetry, including how it develops relatability, enhances visualization, and creates engaging scenes. Delve into examples of personification in renowned literary works, and understand its distinction from anthropomorphism.
