IB English A Lang & Lit Personification Notes

Personification Humanizes the Abstract

1. By humanizing the non-human, personification:
   1. Creates empathy: Readers are more likely to feel connected to abstract ideas when they are presented in human terms.
   2. Foreshadows emotional or thematic shifts: The human traits attributed to non-human elements often hint at underlying emotions or themes.
   3. Creates vivid imagery: Personification makes descriptions more engaging and memorable.

How Personification Works

Consider the sentence: "The night crept in on silent feet."

1. Here, night is given the human ability to creep, suggesting stealth and impending danger.
2. This personification sets a mood and hints at a possible threat, engaging the reader's imagination.

How to Identify Personification

1. Look for non-human elements described with human traits or actions.
2. Ask whether the description could apply to a human being.

How to Analyze Personification

1. Identify the personified element and its human trait.
2. Explain how this humanisation influences the understanding of the scene or character.

Personification Extends Beyond Nature

1. Personification is often used to describe elements of nature.
2. It can also be applied to abstract concepts or inanimate objects.