Personification Humanizes the Abstract
Definition
Personification
Personification is a literary device where non-human things are given human characteristics such as actions, emotions, or intentions. This includes objects, animals, ideas, or forces of nature behaving or feeling like people.
- This technique transforms the abstract into the relatable, so you can connect emotionally with concepts that might otherwise seem distant or impersonal.
Why Personification Matters
- By humanizing the non-human, personification:
- Elicits empathy: Readers are more likely to feel connected to abstract ideas when they are presented in human terms.
- Foreshadows emotional or thematic shifts: The human traits attributed to non-human elements often hint at underlying emotions or themes.
- Creates vivid imagery: Personification makes descriptions more engaging and memorable.
How Personification Works
Consider the sentence: "The night crept in on silent feet."
- Here, night is given the human ability to creep, suggesting stealth and impending danger.
- This personification not only sets a mood but also hints at a possible threat, engaging the reader's imagination.
Note
- What’s personified? The night.
- What’s the human trait? The ability to creep like a person moving stealthily.
How to Identify Personification
- Look for non-human elements described with human traits or actions.
- Ask yourself if the description could apply to a human being.
How to Analyze Personification
- Identify the personified element and its human trait.
- Explain how this humanization influences your understanding of the scene or character.
Exam technique
“The wind whispered through the alley.”
- Personified element: Wind
- Human trait: Whispering is implying secrecy or intimacy
Paragraph Analysis (4 Marks)
In the phrase “The night crept in on silent feet,” night is personified as a stealthy figure. This creates a mood of quiet tension, as if darkness is actively encroaching. By giving the night agency, the writer builds suspense and prepares the reader for a possible emotional or narrative shift.
Personification Extends Beyond Nature
- Personification is often used to describe elements of nature.
- It can also be applied to abstract concepts or inanimate objects.
Example
“Hope danced at the edge of her vision.”
- What’s personified? Hope
- Human trait? Dancing
This personification doesn’t just say the character feels hopeful, it shows how she feels: lightly, energetically, almost playfully. It adds movement and vitality to an emotion.
