Why Do Authors Use Personification?
Personification, the act of attributing human characteristics to non-human entities, is a powerful literary device used by authors to enhance the expressiveness and emotional impact of their writing. This technique allows authors to create vivid imagery and evoke strong emotions in readers, making their work more engaging and memorable. But why do authors choose to use personification in their writing?
One of the primary reasons authors use personification is to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable. By personifying abstract ideas, authors can give them a face, a voice, and a personality, making them easier for readers to understand and connect with. For example, in John Keats’ poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” the urn is personified as a silent observer, “half-asleep,” which helps readers visualize the urn’s timeless existence and the poem’s exploration of the tension between art and life.
Another reason for using personification is to create a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the subject matter. By attributing human emotions and behaviors to inanimate objects or animals, authors can make the reader feel a deeper connection to the story or the characters. For instance, in “The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald personifies the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, symbolizing Gatsby’s unattainable dream and the reader’s emotional investment in the character’s struggle.
Personification also serves to heighten the emotional intensity of a scene or narrative. By giving life to the inanimate, authors can create a more dramatic and vivid atmosphere. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee personifies the wind as a “whispering ghost,” setting a somber and eerie tone that complements the themes of injustice and moral growth.
Moreover, personification can be used to emphasize the contrast between the human and the non-human. This technique can draw attention to the peculiarities or the unique qualities of a character or an object, making them stand out in the reader’s mind. In “The Old Man and the Sea,” Ernest Hemingway personifies the sea as a “malevolent brute,” highlighting the fierce and relentless nature of the ocean and the protagonist’s struggle against it.
Lastly, personification can be a means of delivering moral or philosophical lessons. By attributing human-like qualities to objects or animals, authors can convey complex ideas and moral dilemmas in a more accessible and thought-provoking manner. In “Animal Farm,” George Orwell uses personification to illustrate the corruption of ideals and the betrayal of revolution, making the allegory more impactful and memorable.
In conclusion, authors use personification to make their writing more expressive, relatable, and emotionally engaging. By attributing human characteristics to non-human entities, authors can create vivid imagery, evoke empathy, heighten emotional intensity, emphasize contrasts, and deliver moral lessons. This literary device is a testament to the power of language and the endless possibilities it offers to writers and readers alike.
