P is for Personification
As those of you who follow me on Facebook and other social media sites already know, NeoSapiens, an anthology of short fantasy and science fiction stories, is set to be released next week, and my short story Shades of Red and Wolf will feature there. The story is set in the futuristic world of a previous story, also published by New Myths (Knight of Pawns) where Were struggle to survive in a world governed by the Unchanged.
In case you’re wondering, anthropomorphism doesn’t feature in those stories but today’s literary device, personification does.
Examples from Shades of Red and Wolf:
“The very houses seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for what was to come.”
“Phee’s heart threatened to bound out of her chest.”
P is for Personification
This figure of speech is probably one of the first we learn at school. Through personification, an object or idea is given human characteristics or feelings. Personification is often found in children’s literature, though personification should not be confused with anthropomorphism where animals behave as humans.
Some common examples of personification used in everyday speech would be: the sun is smiling; my phone died on me; this picture speaks to me; the door groaned; the leaves whispered in the breeze.
Writers often use personification. Not only does this literary device help make the scenes being described more vivid but it is often used to reflect what a particular character is feeling without having to specify and name the emotion. If the sun is smiling, then the character is most probably happy, right?
Here are a couple of uses of personification from the Hyllethan Gifts series:
“A heavy door scraped and groaned against stone.” (Dawn of Purple and Grey)
“Across the snow-covered courtyard, the main gate gleamed in the moonlight. Locked. Solid. Mocking.” (Days of Wind and Snow)
On Reading
I’ve started Dune by Frank Herbert, a book I’ve been meaning to read for ages. Looks like watching the film was the final prod I needed to do so. 😊.
Some embarrassing self-promo
Dawn of Purple and Grey, book 1 in the Hyllethan Gifts series is available from Amazon as a paperback and as an ebook.
Till next time,
Caroline