Personification – iGCSE English Language CAIE Revision

Definition of Personification

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or traits are attributed to non-human entities, abstract ideas, or inanimate objects.
It’s a way of bringing life to lifeless entities, making descriptions more vivid and making abstract ideas easier to comprehend.

The primary purpose of using personification is to give a more relatable, human face to abstract concepts, making them easier to understand.
It allows readers to connect with the subject on a deeper level, forming an emotional connection due to the human characteristics been applied.
Personification can enhance imagery and make descriptions more vivid, creating a more engaging and rich reading experience.

Personification can be found in phrases like “the wind whispered secrets through the trees”, “the flowers danced in the light” or “fear sneaked up on me”.
In these examples, the wind, trees, flowers and fear are given human attributes such as whispering secrets, dancing and sneaking up on someone.
Note that personification doesn’t always have to attribute physical actions to the non-human objects or ideas; it could instead assign feelings, thoughts, or attitudes, as in “the sun smiled down on the town”.

To identify personification, look for non-human entities, inanimate objects, or abstract ideas that are described as having human traits or behaviours.
Phrases or sentences where something is doing an action generally reserved for humans is a clear indicator of personification.
Key phrases may include “as though”, “as if”, or attributes being assinged directly through verbs, such as “the moon stared down at me”.

When evaluating the use of personification, consider the effect on the reader. Does the personification help the reader to better visualize or empathize with the object or concept being described?
Assess how well the assigned human traits fit with the overall theme or mood of the text, and how they contribute to the imagery or emotion of the piece.
Always consider what the writer’s intention might have been in employing personification – are they attempting to stir specific emotions, or make an abstract idea more digestible?