Personification.
Definition:
Personification is a special kind of metaphor that gives human qualities to something that is not human, such as an animal, an object, or an idea.
For example, if we say, "The tree sighed sadly in the cold," we are using personification. A tree cannot really sigh or be sad.
Personification is a special kind of metaphor that gives human qualities to something that is not human, such as an animal, an object, or an idea.
For example, if we say, "The tree sighed sadly in the cold," we are using personification. A tree cannot really sigh or be sad.
- The literal term is what we are comparing to something else. It's what's real; it means what it is. We are giving the tree characteristics of a person. In this example, the literal term is the tree (it really is a tree).
- The figurative term is what is being compared to the literal term. The figurative term means something other than itself, something nonliteral. The figurative term in this example is a person (the tree is not really a person who can sigh and be sad). In personification, the figurative term is always a person.
|
|
Lesson 1:
Read and think:
The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling; the oaken settles*, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction.
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
*long, wooden benches with high backs that usually have storage space in the seat
Talk about it:
1. Remember that personification is a kind of metaphor, an implied comparison that always has a human being as its figurative term. Identify the examples of personification in the passage, and fill in the following chart:
Read and think:
The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling; the oaken settles*, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction.
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
*long, wooden benches with high backs that usually have storage space in the seat
Talk about it:
1. Remember that personification is a kind of metaphor, an implied comparison that always has a human being as its figurative term. Identify the examples of personification in the passage, and fill in the following chart:
2. How does the use of personification help the reader visualize and connect to the passage? What feeling is created by the personification?
Now you try it: Write a short paragraph describing a friend's room. In your description, use personification at least one time. Use Grahame's paragraph as a model.
Now you try it: Write a short paragraph describing a friend's room. In your description, use personification at least one time. Use Grahame's paragraph as a model.
Lesson 2:
Read and think:
And now the Storm-blast came, and he
Was tyrannous and strong:
He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
Talk about it:
1. Underline the example of personification in the first two lines. What are the literal and figurative terms?
2. Is the third line an example of personification? Defend your ideas.
Now you try it: Describe a storm or an exceptionally beautiful day. In your description, use at least one example of personification. Your description can be poetry or prose. Identify the literal and figurative term.
Read and think:
And now the Storm-blast came, and he
Was tyrannous and strong:
He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
Talk about it:
1. Underline the example of personification in the first two lines. What are the literal and figurative terms?
2. Is the third line an example of personification? Defend your ideas.
Now you try it: Describe a storm or an exceptionally beautiful day. In your description, use at least one example of personification. Your description can be poetry or prose. Identify the literal and figurative term.