Day: August 21, 2023

Introduction to Personification

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities or objects.

Literary Examples of Personification

Reference	Extract	Explanation of Personification
1. “The Sun Rising” by John Donne	“Busy old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains call on us?”	The Sun is personified as a “busy old fool” interrupting lovers, as if it were a nosy person disturbing their privacy.
2. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe	“And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.”	The Raven is personified as a persistent, ominous visitor, sitting as if it were a mournful presence.
3. “The Wind” by Christina Rossetti	“Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through.”	The wind is personified as an unseen, mysterious force, perceived only through its effects on the trembling leaves.
4. Macbeth by William Shakespeare	“Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.”	Lady Macbeth personifies “spirits” that influence her thoughts, asking them to change her nature, highlighting her ambition.
5. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein	“And the tree was happy. But not really.”	The tree is personified as capable of happiness but ultimately feeling unfulfilled after giving everything to the boy.
6. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot	“A heap of broken images, where the sun beats, And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief, And the dry stone no sound of water.”	The dead tree and cricket are personified as experiencing discomfort in the desolate landscape, mirroring the speaker’s suffering.

These examples illustrate the diverse ways in which personification is used in literature to attribute human qualities and emotions to non-human entities, enhancing the depth and meaning of the text.

How to Create Personification

Creating personification is a fun and creative way to add depth and meaning to your writing. Here are some steps to follow to create personification:

1. Identify Objective or Idea: Choose an object or idea that you want to give human-like qualities to.
2. Determine Qualities of Object or Idea: Decide what specific human-like qualities you want to give to the object or idea.
3. Use Descriptive Language: Use descriptive language to create an image in the reader’s mind. Utilize sensory details like sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste to make the personification more vivid.
4. Be consistent: Once you have created the personification, be consistent in using it throughout your writing. This will help your readers understand and connect with the object or idea you have personified.
5. Edit and revise: After you have written it, read it over and make sure it flows well with the rest of your writing. Revise as needed to ensure that the personification enhances your writing and adds meaning.
6. Remember, personification is a literary device that can be used to add depth and meaning to your writing, so have fun with it and experiment with different ideas and descriptions.

Benefits of Personification

There are several benefits of using it in writing, including:

1. Breathe Life into Words: Unleashing Creativity: Transform your writing from mundane to magical as personification grants you the power to infuse non-human entities with vitality and charm, making your compositions a captivating voyage of imaginative expression.
2. Unveiling the Veiled: Illuminating Complex Ideas: Embrace the allure of personification as it unveils a gateway to comprehension, rendering intricate and abstract concepts relatable, enabling readers to grasp profound ideas with ease.
3. Unveiling Depth: Unleashing Profound Narratives: Embark on a literary adventure of profound proportions, for personification bestows inanimate objects and abstract notions with human-like attributes, breathing an unprecedented dimension of intrigue and contemplation into your prose.
4. The Artistry of Personification: Painting Pictures of Imagination: Master the art of literary imagery using this device, skillfully crafting vibrant and indelible mental pictures by endowing objects and ideas with human characteristics that resonate within the reader’s mind.
5. Forging Emotional Bonds: Empowering Words: Experience the emotional alchemy of personification, forging powerful connections between readers and the personified elements, evoking empathy and understanding that lingers long after the last word is read.

In short, it is a powerful literary device that enhances the impact of your writing in many ways, making it more creative, engaging, and memorable.

Personification and Literary Theory

Literary Theory	Critique of Personification	Example
New Criticism	Personification contributes to the overall meaning of the work by developing themes and motifs.	Example: In “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, the personification of the Raven as a harbinger of death intensifies the theme of grief and loss throughout the poem.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Personification reflects the author’s unconscious desires or characters’ psychological states.	Example: In The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, the personification of Mr. Hyde represents the repressed dark desires of Dr. Jekyll’s subconscious mind.
Marxist Criticism	Personification reinforces or critiques dominant social hierarchies.	Example: In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the personification of the ruling pigs as oppressive leaders represents the exploitation of power in a totalitarian society, reflecting Marxist critique of the ruling class.
Feminist Criticism	Personification reinforces or challenges traditional gender roles and reflects the author’s attitudes towards women.	Example: In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, here this device shown as a wallpaper as a woman trapped behind bars symbolizes the narrator’s confinement and challenges the patriarchal norms of the time.
Postcolonial Criticism	Personification reflects the colonized culture’s relationship with the colonizer and the author’s attitudes towards colonization.	Example: In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart the personification of the colonial government as a destructive force portrays the impact of colonialism on traditional African societies and critiques the colonial power structure.

Note: The examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and may not cover the entirety of the literary works’ complexities in each theoretical analysis. The interpretations may vary based on the critic’s individual perspectives and the specific literary elements being examined.

Suggested Readings

1. Attridge, Derek, and Henry Staten. The Craft of Poetry: Dialogues on Minimal Interpretation. Routledge, 2015.
2. Brooks, Cleanth. The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry. Harcourt, Brace & World, 1947.
3. De Mul, Jos. The Tragedy of Finitude: Dilthey’s Hermeneutics of Life. Yale University Press, 2004.
4. Johnson, Mark. The Body in the Mind: The Bodily Basis of Meaning, Imagination, and Reason. University of Chicago Press, 1987.
5. Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press, 2003.
6. Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Indiana University Press, 1985.
7. Turner, Mark. The Literary Mind: The Origins of Thought and Language. Oxford University Press, 1996.

You may read more on Literary Devices below:

• Prose: A Literary Genre
• Writing Prose; Critiquing Prose
• Propaganda: A Literary Device
• Propaganda: Creating and Critiquing It
• Protagonist: Creating and Critiquing

Etymology of Personification

The term “personification” originates from the Latin word personificare. It is a combination of persona (meaning “person”) and facere (meaning “to make” or “to create”). The concept of personification has its roots in ancient rhetoric and literary traditions, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. It involves attributing human characteristics, emotions, or qualities to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Meanings of Personification

1. Primary Meaning of Personification: The attribution of human qualities, such as emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, to non-human entities or objects.
2. Literary Use of Personification: Commonly employed in poetry to make abstract ideas more concrete and relatable; for instance, portraying death as a character with a specific personality and motivation.
3. Advertising Application of Personification: Utilized in advertising to make products relatable and approachable to consumers, where a personified object like a car may be featured in ads to appeal to potential buyers.
4. Everyday Speech: Used in everyday language to describe something using human characteristics to enhance understanding or emphasize a particular point.

Personification in Grammar

In grammar, personification is not a specific word category like a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Instead, personification is a literary device or figure of speech used to give human qualities or characteristics to non-human things, animals, or ideas. It is often used in writing and literature to make descriptions more vivid and engaging.

Here are the grammatical word categories you requested, along with an example of personification:

1. Noun: A person, place, thing, or idea. Example: The sun smiled down on the children at the playground.
2. Verb: An action or state of being. Example: The wind whispered through the trees.
3. Adjective: A word that describes or modifies a noun. Example: The old house creaked with every step.
4. Adverb: A word that describes or modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Example: The leaves rustled softly in the breeze.

Definition of Personification

Personification is a literary device in which human characteristics are attributed to non-human things such as animals, objects, or natural phenomena. This technique is often used to create a more vivid and imaginative description, as well as to evoke emotions and convey deeper meanings.

Types of Personification

There are several types of personification used in literature:

Type	Definition	Example from Literature
Anthropomorphism	This type of personification attributes human-like qualities to animals such as talking or exhibiting human emotions.	For example in Aesop’s fables, animals are often portrayed with human characteristics such as the wise and talking tortoise in “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
Pathetic Fallacy	This type of personification attributes human emotions and actions to inanimate objects or natural phenomena such as the wind “howling” or the sun “smiling.”	Emily Brontë uses pathetic fallacy in Wuthering Heights where the stormy weather mirrors the tumultuous emotions of the characters.
Zoomorphism	This type of personification attributes animal-like qualities to humans, such as calling someone a “snake” or a “lion.”	In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Mark Antony refers to the assassins as “honorable men” while subtly likening them to dangerous animals.
Prosopopoeia	This type of personification involves giving a voice to an abstract concept or an object that cannot speak, such as “death” or “time.”	In John Donne’s poem “Death Be Not Proud,” death is personified and addressed as if it were a living being with human emotions and vulnerabilities.
Metaphorical Personification	This type of personification uses a metaphor to compare a non-human thing to a human attribute or quality, such as describing a mountain as “majestic” or a storm as “angry.”	In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” the titular bird is described as a “prophet” and “thing of evil,” attributing human-like qualities to the bird.
Zoomorphism	This type of personification involves attributing animal-like characteristics or qualities to non-living things or abstract concepts, such as “a furious storm” or “a cruel wind.”	In William Wordsworth’s poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” daffodils are personified as “dancing” and “tossing their heads” in the breeze.
Hyperbole	This type of personification involves exaggerating the qualities or characteristics of non-human things for effect, such as “the waves roared with anger” or “the sun scorched the earth.”	In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, he uses hyperbolic personification when he says “stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires,” as if the stars have their own awareness and can help keep his secrets hidden.
Synecdoche	This type of personification involves using a part of an object to represent the whole, or vice versa, such as “all hands on deck” to refer to the entire crew of a ship.	In Julius Caesar, when Mark Antony says “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears,” he uses synecdoche, as “ears” represent the audience’s attention and willingness to listen.
Metonymy	This type of personification involves using a related term to represent the object or concept being personified, such as “the crown” to refer to a king or queen.	In William Shakespeare’s plays, he frequently uses metonymy, like referring to the monarchy as “the crown” and the government as “the throne.”
Allegory	This type of personification involves using characters or objects to represent abstract concepts or ideas, such as in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, where the animals represent different social classes and political ideologies.	In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the characters of Napoleon and Snowball symbolize Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky, respectively, and the farm’s transformation mirrors the events of the Russian Revolution and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

Suggested Readings

1. Attridge, Derek, and Henry Staten. The Craft of Poetry: Dialogues on Minimal Interpretation. Routledge, 2015.
2. Brooks, Cleanth. The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry. Harcourt, Brace & World, 1947.
3. De Mul, Jos. The Tragedy of Finitude: Dilthey’s Hermeneutics of Life. Yale University Press, 2004.
4. Johnson, Mark. The Body in the Mind: The Bodily Basis of Meaning, Imagination, and Reason. University of Chicago Press, 1987.
5. Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press, 2003.
6. Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Indiana University Press, 1985.
7. Turner, Mark. The Literary Mind: The Origins of Thought and Language. Oxford University Press, 1996.

You may read more on Literary Devices:

• Meiosis: A Literary Device
• Rhythm: A Literary Device
• Adynaton: A Literary Device
• Adynatons: Creating and Critiquing It
• Adventure: A Literary Device
• Adventures: Creating and Critiquing

Introduction to Pathos

Pathos is a rhetorical and literary device employed to evoke intense emotions, particularly pity, sympathy, or empathy, in an audience. It is a persuasive technique that aims to stir an emotional response in readers or listeners by presenting relatable and emotionally charged situations or narratives. Through the strategic use of vivid descriptions, storytelling, and appeals to shared human experiences, pathos enhances the overall persuasiveness and impact of written or spoken discourse.

How to Create Pathos?

Step	Explanation	Example
Understand Your Audience	Before creating pathos, it is important to know your target audience. Consider the following points; Their backgrounds.Their interests.Their values.	If addressing parents, focus on themes related to family, children, or personal struggles.
Choose a Relevant Topic	Select a subject or theme, having an emotional connection with your audience.	If discussing challenges faced by refugees, choose a specific story of a refugee family to create empathy.
Use Descriptive Language	Use descriptive and evocative language to paint a clear picture in your audience’s minds.	Instead of saying “He was sad,” say “Tears streamed down his face as his heart shattered into a thousand pieces.”
Tell Personal Stories	Share personal experiences or anecdotes that create an emotional connection.	When discussing poverty, share a personal story of someone struggling to make ends meet.
Appeal to Shared Values	Identify the values that connect you with your audience and frame your message accordingly.	Emphasize the unfairness of a situation or the need for empathy towards marginalized communities if your audience values justice and equality.
Use Powerful Examples	Utilize real-life examples or case studies that elicit emotions.	Advocate for animal rights by sharing a story of an abused animal that has been rescued and nursed back to health.
Incorporate Rhetorical Devices	Employ rhetorical devices to enhance the emotional impact.	Engage the audience emotionally by asking rhetorical questions like, “How can we turn a blind eye to the suffering of innocent children? How can we sleep peacefully knowing their cries go unheard?”
Show Empathy and Vulnerability	Demonstrate empathy and vulnerability to connect on a deeper level.	Share personal emotions, struggles, or moments of reflection related to the topic to evoke a reciprocal emotional response from the audience.
Use Visual Aids	Include visuals such as photographs, videos, or graphs that evoke emotions.	Use a poignant image that conveys the emotional impact of an issue more effectively than words alone.
Practice Delivery and Timing	Practice delivering your message with the right tone, pacing, and emphasis.	Pay attention to timing and pause to allow emotional moments to sink in during the delivery. Effective delivery amplifies the emotional impact of your words.

Benefits of Pathos

Pathos is a powerful tool in literature. It helps writers to create emotional connections with their readers and to evoke a range of emotions, including empathy, sympathy, and sadness. Here are some of the benefits of using pathos in your writing:

1. Emotional Connection: Pathos helps to create an emotional connection between the reader and the characters in a story. They also help the speakers to connect with the readers and audiences through emotional means.
2. Increased Engagement: When readers are emotionally invested in a story, they are more likely to continue reading and become more deeply engaged with the plot and characters.
3. Greater Impact: Using pathos can help to make a story more memorable and impactful by creating an emotional response in the reader. This helps ensure that the story stays with readers long after they have finished reading.
4. Greater Understanding: When readers feel empathy and sympathy for a character, they are more likely to understand their motivations and relate to their experiences. This can help to create a deeper understanding of the story and its themes.
5. Universal Appeal: Pathos is a universal tool that can appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds. By evoking emotions that are common in all humans, writers create stories that resonate with a wide audience.
6. Persuasion: Pathos helps speakers to emotionally connect with the readers and the audiences and persuade them effectively by manipulating emotions.

In fact, using pathos in literature is a highly powerful tool for writers to connect with their readers and create stories that are engaging, impactful, and memorable.

Pathos and Literary Theory

Pathos is a persuasive technique that appeals to the emotions of the readers or audiences. It is used in literature to create emotional connections with the readers, evoking sympathy or empathy for the characters, and adding depth to the themes and messages of a work. However, analyzing pathos in literary theory as a literary device is a highly tricky situation. Yet, it could be analyzed and studied using various literary theories, such as:

Literary Theory	Critique of Pathos	Example from Literature
Reader-Response Theory	This theory focuses on the readers’ response to a text and how their experiences and emotions influence interpretation. Pathos could be analyzed through the readers’ emotional responses and how their personal experiences affect understanding.	In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the portrayal of racial injustice elicits pathos by evoking strong emotional responses from readers who can relate their own experiences or empathize with the characters’ struggles. The readers’ emotional connection to the text influences their interpretation and response to the pathos conveyed.
Feminist Theory	Feminist theory examines literature from a gender perspective, focusing on how gender roles and stereotypes are reinforced or challenged. Pathos can be studied in how emotions associated with femininity are represented and how they shape female characters’ roles.	In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the protagonist’s emotional descent into madness is a pathos-laden portrayal of the oppression and confinement faced by women in patriarchal societies. The use of pathos highlights the emotional toll of societal expectations and restrictions, shedding light on the feminist critique of gender roles.
Marxist Theory	Marxist theory views literature as reflecting socio-economic conditions. Pathos can be studied in how emotions convey class struggle and social inequality, as well as how they can manipulate the working class.	In Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, the pathos of poverty and suffering endured by the lower classes under the oppressive ruling class is used to emphasize the social and economic disparities of the time. The emotions depicted stir empathy and solidarity among readers, highlighting the Marxist critique of the exploitative capitalist system.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory analyzes literature through psychology’s lens, exploring characters’ inner conflicts and desires. Pathos can be studied in how emotions reveal these aspects and manipulate the reader’s emotions and desires.	In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, the protagonist’s guilt-ridden conscience and emotional turmoil evoke pathos by delving into the depths of his psyche. The reader becomes emotionally engaged as they explore the protagonist’s psychological struggles, demonstrating the power of pathos to elicit a profound emotional response.

Suggested Readings

1. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
2. Brooks, Cleanth, and Robert Penn Warren. Understanding Fiction. Prentice-Hall, 1959.
3. Burke, Kenneth. A Rhetoric of Motives. University of California Press, 1969.
4. Fisher, Walter R. Human Communication as Narration: Toward a Philosophy of Reason, Value, and Action. University of South Carolina Press, 1987.
5. Olbrechts-Tyteca, Lucie, and Chaïm Perelman. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
6. Weaver, Richard M. The Ethics of Rhetoric. University of Chicago Press, 1953.

Etymology of Pathos

The English term “pathos” traces its roots to the ancient Greek word pathos (πάθος). Itoriginally referred to suffering, experience, or feeling. As it migrated into English, “pathos” retained its fundamental meaning as a powerful appeal to the emotions. It came to represent the quality or element in a work of art, literature, or speech that evokes pity, sympathy, or compassion in the audience.

Meanings of Pathos

1. Evoking Pity or Sadness: Pathos refers to a quality that elicits feelings of pity or sadness in art, literature, or performance.
2. Emotional Appeal in Persuasion: Pathos involves using emotions to influence an audience’s response in persuasive writing or speech.
3. Rhetorical Appeal: Pathos is one of the three main rhetorical appeals, alongside ethos and logos, emphasizing emotional persuasion.
4. Emotional State or Temperament: Pathos can describe a person’s overall emotional disposition, often associated with strong emotions or a sense of melancholy.

Pathos in Grammar

Grammatically, “pathos” is a singular noun that refers to a singular quality or emotion. However, it can be used in a plural form to refer to multiple instances or expressions of pathos. In this case, “pathos” takes on a plural form and becomes “pathoses”. However, it is important to note that the use of “pathoses” is relatively rare and not commonly used in everyday language. In most cases, the singular form “pathos” is sufficient to convey the intended meaning.

Definition of Pathos

Pathos, a literary device, refers to the use of language or imagery to evoke emotions in the reader or audience. It is often used in literature, particularly in works of fiction or drama, to create an emotional response and build a connection between the reader or audience and the characters or story. Pathos could also be used to create a range of emotions, from empathy and sympathy to sadness, anger, or even a sense of moral outrage.

Types of Pathos

There are several types of pathos that can be used in literature or other forms of communication to evoke emotional responses from the audience. Here are some common examples:

Type of Pathos	Explanation	Example
Personal Anecdotes	Sharing personal stories or experiences that evoke empathy in the audience	“Let me tell you about a time when I faced a similar struggle…”
Vivid Imagery	Using descriptive language to create emotionally evocative images	“The vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky with a sense of tranquility and warmth.”
Emotional Language	Utilizing words and phrases with strong emotional connotations	“Our hearts were filled with sorrow as we witnessed the devastating aftermath.”
Metaphors and Similes	Employing figurative language to create emotional associations	“Her smile was like a ray of sunshine, bringing joy to everyone around her.”
Appeal to Suffering or Injustice	Highlighting instances of suffering, injustice, or hardship	“Imagine a world where no child goes to bed hungry, where every voice is heard.”
Testimonials	Presenting firsthand accounts that express emotions and build credibility	“I never thought I could achieve my dreams, but thanks to this program, I did it!”
Symbolism	Utilizing symbols to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions	The dove symbolizes peace and hope in the midst of chaos.”
Visual and Audiovisual Elements	Incorporating impactful visuals or audio to enhance emotional impact	A heart-wrenching documentary with powerful images and moving soundtrack.
Humor or Irony	Using humor or irony to engage the audience and provoke emotional responses	“In a twist of fate, the comedian who brought joy to millions was hiding his own pain.”
Appeal to Shared Values or Beliefs	Connecting with the audience’s values or beliefs to create emotional bond	“As a community, we value compassion and equality for all.”

Literary Examples of Pathos

Literary Example	Explanation	Type of Pathos	Pathos in Action
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee	In this novel, Tom Robinson’s unjust conviction for rape evokes sympathy and moral outrage, highlighting the injustice and racism of the era.	Appeal to Suffering or Injustice	Through the portrayal of an innocent black man facing racial injustice, the author creates an emotional connection, evoking sympathy and eliciting a desire for societal change.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini	The novel uses pathos to create an emotional bond between the reader and the characters, emphasizing the effects of war and the power of friendship.	Emotional Connection	By exploring themes of betrayal, guilt, and redemption, the author elicits empathy from the reader, making them emotionally invested in the characters’ experiences and emphasizing the human cost of conflict.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green	The novel employs pathos to evoke empathy and compassion, focusing on the fragility of life and the importance of love and human connection.	Reflection on Mortality	Through the portrayal of terminally ill teenagers who fall in love, the author explores the delicate nature of life, evoking emotions and emphasizing the significance of embracing life fully despite adversity.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck	Steinbeck utilizes pathos in the portrayal of mentally disabled Lennie, evoking sympathy and highlighting the challenges faced by marginalized individuals.	Sympathy for Marginalized Characters	By depicting Lennie’s struggles and tragic fate, the author evokes a sense of compassion in the reader, shedding light on the difficult circumstances faced by marginalized individuals during the Great Depression.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck	The novel uses pathos to create an emotional connection to the Joad family’s struggles, highlighting the injustices faced by migrant workers during the Great Depression.	Social and Economic Injustice	By depicting the hardships, poverty, and exploitation experienced by the Joad family, the author evokes empathy and a sense of moral outrage, emphasizing the need for social and economic justice in society.

Suggested Readings

1. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
2. Brooks, Cleanth, and Robert Penn Warren. Understanding Fiction. Prentice-Hall, 1959.
3. Burke, Kenneth. A Rhetoric of Motives. University of California Press, 1969.
4. Fisher, Walter R. Human Communication as Narration: Toward a Philosophy of Reason, Value, and Action. University of South Carolina Press, 1987.
5. Olbrechts-Tyteca, Lucie, and Chaïm Perelman. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
6. Weaver, Richard M. The Ethics of Rhetoric. University of Chicago Press, 1953.

You may read more on Literary Devvices below:

• Induction: A Literary Device
• Induction: Creating and Critiquing
• Double Entendre: A Literary Device
• Double Entendre: Creating and Critiquing
• Discourse: Writing and Critiquing It

Introduction to Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy, an essential literary device, involves attributing human emotions, traits, or attributes to elements of the natural world such as weather, landscapes, or animals. Authors use this technique to create an emotional atmosphere, accentuating the mood or theme of their work. Specifically, supported by Romantic poets, this device serves to convey the emotional state of characters or the overarching tone of a narrative, thereby eliciting empathy and resonance among readers.

Literary Examples of Pathetic Fallacy

Type of Pathetic Fallacy	Pathetic Fallacy Example	Source and Explanation
Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	“The wind howled in the night, like the cries of a thousand lost souls.”	Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein The howling wind represents the character’s internal turmoil and despair, reflecting the emotional state of the character as he contemplates the consequences of his creation.
Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	“The sky was dark and gloomy, the air thick with the scent of impending rain.”	Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights The dark and gloomy sky mirrors the stormy emotions of the characters, foreshadowing the turbulent events that will occur in the story.
Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	“The sun smiled down upon them, casting a golden light upon the field of wildflowers.”	F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby The smiling sun personifies nature, representing the happiness and joy experienced by the characters during a carefree day, creating an idyllic atmosphere in the scene.
Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	“The trees whispered to each other, as if sharing secrets in the night.”	J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The whispering trees anthropomorphize nature, adding a touch of magic and mystery to the scene, setting the stage for the enchanting events that will unfold in the magical world of Hogwarts.
Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	“The sea heaved and roared, as if in anger at the ship for daring to cross its waters.”	Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick The angry sea symbolizes the power and danger of nature, as well as reflecting the internal struggles of the characters on the ship, highlighting the tumultuous and perilous nature of their journey.

How to Create Pathetic Fallacy in a Fictional Work

Here are some tips on how to create pathetic fallacy in a fictional work:

Step	Explanation	Practical Example
1. Identify the emotion you want to convey	Begin by determining the specific emotion or mood you aim to evoke in your writing. Pathetic fallacy is most effective when it aligns with the narrative’s emotional core.	In a suspenseful scene, dark clouds gathered overhead, foreshadowing the impending danger and instilling fear in the characters and readers.
2. Choose the right natural element	Select a natural element (e.g., weather, landscapes, animals) that symbolizes or mirrors the chosen emotion. Ensure that this element complements your narrative context.	The serene, sun-drenched meadow reflected the protagonist’s inner peace, highlighting their happiness and contentment.
3. Use descriptive language	Employ vivid and evocative descriptions when attributing human qualities to the chosen natural element. Paint a clear picture to immerse the reader in the emotional atmosphere.	The icy wind howled through the desolate streets, echoing the protagonist’s loneliness and despair.
4. Make it relevant to the story	Ensure that the use of pathetic fallacy serves a narrative purpose. It should advance the plot, develop characters, or contribute to the overall thematic message of the story.	As the storm raged outside, the character’s internal turmoil reached its climax, mirroring the chaos in their life.
5. Use it sparingly	While pathetic fallacy can be a powerful literary tool, avoid overusing it. Strategic application is more impactful, creating moments of heightened emotional resonance within your writing.	The gentle rain began to fall, signifying a fresh start for the protagonist after a series of hardships and setbacks.

These steps and examples demonstrate how to effectively utilize pathetic fallacy in your writing to enhance emotional depth and narrative impact.

Benefits of Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is a powerful literary device that can bring several benefits to your writing. Here are some of the benefits of using pathetic fallacy in your work:

1. Creates atmosphere: Pathetic fallacy helps establish the overall mood and tone of your narrative, immersing readers in the desired atmosphere of your story.
2. Conveys emotions: It provides a subtle yet effective means to convey characters’ and situations’ emotions, allowing readers to connect with the story on an emotional level.
3. Adds depth and complexity: By attributing human qualities to the natural world, it adds layers of depth and complexity to your storytelling, making it more engaging and thought-provoking.
4. Foreshadows events: Pathetic fallacy can serve as a literary tool to hint at or foreshadow upcoming events or changes in the narrative, adding intrigue and suspense.
5. Enhances imagery: It aids in creating vivid mental images for readers, making your descriptions more evocative and memorable.
6. Symbolizes themes: You can use it to symbolize or mirror the overarching themes of your work, reinforcing the message you want to convey.
7. Facilitates character development: Pathetic fallacy can mirror or contrast with characters’ emotions, helping to highlight their internal struggles and growth throughout the story.
8. Engages readers’ senses: By connecting emotions with sensory experiences, it engages readers’ senses and makes your writing more immersive.
9. Evokes empathy: Readers often empathize more readily with characters when their emotions are reflected in the surrounding natural elements, enhancing reader-character connections.
10. Creates memorable moments: It can lead to powerful, memorable scenes that linger in readers’ minds long after they’ve finished your work.

Pathetic Fallacy and Literary Theory

Literary Theory	Pathetic Fallacy Critique	Example from Literature/Criticism	Pathetic Fallacy in Example
Marxist theory	Marxist critics might analyze how the use of natural elements to represent human emotions or events reflects the social and political structures of the time.	In Charles Dickens’ novel Hard Times, the gloomy and industrialized setting reflects the dehumanizing effects of capitalism on society, and the polluted air and bleak landscape symbolize the working-class struggles during the Victorian era.	The gloomy and industrialized setting, as well as the polluted air and bleak landscape, constitute a pathetic fallacy, where the natural elements reflect the social and political structures of the time.
Psychoanalytic theory	Psychoanalytic critics might analyze how the use of natural elements to represent human emotions or events reflects the characters’ unconscious desires or fears.	In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the stormy weather and chaotic natural elements surrounding significant events mirror the psychological turmoil and guilt experienced by the characters, particularly Macbeth’s internal struggles.	The stormy weather and chaotic natural elements in the play constitute a pathetic fallacy, representing the characters’ psychological turmoil and guilt, which aligns with psychoanalytic analysis.
Feminist theory	Feminist critics might analyze how the use of natural elements to represent human emotions or events reflects gender roles or power dynamics.	In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the decaying and oppressive environment of the protagonist’s room mirrors the restrictive and oppressive nature of traditional gender roles and patriarchal society, critiquing the treatment of women at the time.	The decaying and oppressive environment of the protagonist’s room, symbolizing traditional gender roles and a patriarchal society, is an example of pathetic fallacy, highlighting the power dynamics and gender-related implications through natural elements.

Pathetic fallacy is a literary device that can be analyzed and interpreted through different literary theories. Here are some examples:

Overall, the use of it could be subjected to analysis and interpretations through a variety of literary theories, each offering a unique perspective on the role of natural elements in literature.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Wadsworth Publishing, 2013.
2. Barrell, John. The Idea of Landscape and the Sense of Place, 1730-1840: An Approach to the Poetry of John Clare. Cambridge University Press, 1972.
3. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. Biographia Literaria. Oxford University Press, 1985.
4. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.
5. Eliot, T. S. The Waste Land. Faber and Faber, 1922.
6. Forsyth, Mark. The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase. Berkley, 2014.
7. Keats, John. Selected Poems. Penguin Classics, 2004.
8. Miller, J. Hillis. The Disappearance of God: Five Nineteenth-Century Writers. Harvard University Press, 1963.
9. Richardson, Alan. British Romanticism and the Science of the Mind. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
10. Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Prometheus Unbound. Oxford University Press, 1820.

Etymology of Pathetic Fallacy

The term “pathetic fallacy” originated in the 19th century. John Ruskin is stated to have used this phrase for the first time.

The word “pathetic” here does not refer to something pitiful but means “emotion” or “feeling.” It is a derivative of the Greek term, pathos. However, “fallacy” refers to a false or mistaken belief.

The purpose of Ruskin coining the term was to describe the perceived error of attributing human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects.

Meanings of Pathetic Fallacy

1. Symbolism and Meaning: In literature, it means to deepen symbolism and meaning. By associating natural elements with human emotions, writers intend to evoke specific responses from readers, manipulate the atmosphere, or convey deeper meanings of the narrative.
2. Literary Device: Pathetic fallacy is a literary device used to attribute human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or nature. It involves projecting human qualities onto non-human entities to create a specific mood, emphasize certain aspects, or establish a connection between the human experience and the natural world.
3. Emotional Attribution: It involves ascribing feelings such as joy, sadness, anger, or fear to natural phenomena or non-living things, treating them as if they possess human-like sensibilities.
4. Ruskin’s Critique: Coined by the Victorian critic, John Ruskin, the term “pathetic fallacy” originated as a critique. Ruskin argued that attributing human emotions to nature was a fallacy, an error in perception or reasoning. He viewed it as an incorrect projection of human sentiment in the non-human world.
5. Rhetorical Effect: As a rhetorical device, writers use the pathetic fallacy intentionally to create a desired effect. It serves as a persuasive tool to engage readers emotionally, heighten the impact of a scene, or underscore thematic elements in a work.
6. Connection to Nature: It establishes a connection between humans and the natural world by anthropomorphizing elements of nature. It suggests that nature reflects or responds to human experiences, drawing parallels between the emotions felt by humans and the perceived responses of the environment.

Definition of Pathetic Fallacy

It is a literary device in which human emotions and qualities are attributed to inanimate objects or nature. It is a form of personification that suggests a flawed or mistaken representation of the world by ascribing human attributes to non-human entities.

Types of Pathetic Fallacy

Several types could be found in literature, including:

Type of Pathetic Fallacy	Explanation	Example from Literature
Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	Attributing human-like qualities to non-human things or creatures.	In Aesop’s Fables, animals are often anthropomorphized and given human traits to convey moral lessons. For instance, in “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the animals show human attributes like competitiveness and overconfidence.
Mechanomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	Assigning human-like qualities to mechanical or man-made objects.	In the animated film “Cars,” the cars are portrayed with distinct personalities and voices, exhibiting human traits like friendship, rivalry, and humor. They communicate, make decisions, and engage in relationships just like humans.
Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	Ascribing emotions or feelings to natural phenomena or inanimate objects.	In William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Cassius says, “The clock hath stricken three.” Here, the clock is given the ability to strike as if it is expressing an emotion or signaling an event.
Mythological Pathetic Fallacy	Attributing mythological or supernatural qualities to nature or objects.	In Greek mythology, the River Styx is personified as a deity. It is believed to have the power to grant invulnerability, and in works like Homer’s “Iliad,” it plays a mythological role by acting as a boundary between the mortal and divine realms.

Common Examples

As is known that it is a literary device in which human emotions or characteristics are attributed to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena. Here are some common examples of pathetic fallacy:

Pathetic Fallacy Example	Type	Explanation
The flowers wept as the storm approached.	Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	The flowers are ascribed the human emotion of weeping, suggesting a sense of sadness or vulnerability before the storm.
The sun smiled down on the happy couple as they walked down the aisle.	Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	The sun is given the human-like action of smiling, portraying a sense of joy or happiness during the couple’s wedding.
The raging storm mirrored the character’s emotions as he lost his temper.	Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	The storm is described as mirroring the character’s emotions, suggesting a parallel between the storm’s intensity and the character’s anger.
The dark clouds signaled the impending doom.	Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	The dark clouds are attributed the ability to signal or indicate something, creating a sense of foreboding or impending danger.
The trees whispered to each other as the wind blew through them.	Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	The trees are personified, given the human-like action of whispering, implying communication or sharing secrets among themselves.
The peaceful stream reflected the character’s serenity.	Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	The stream is described as reflecting the character’s emotional state, suggesting a connection between the serenity of the character and the calmness of the stream.
The gentle breeze kissed her cheeks as she walked through the park.	Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	The breeze is personified, given the human-like action of kissing, conveying a sense of tenderness or affection in the surroundings.
The angry sea roared and crashed against the shore.	Emotive Pathetic Fallacy	The sea is described with the human emotion of anger, roaring and crashing against the shore, evoking a sense of turbulence or fury.
The trees danced in the wind, celebrating the arrival of spring.	Anthropomorphic Pathetic Fallacy	The trees are personified, given the human-like action of dancing, representing a sense of joy or celebration in response to the arrival of spring.
The barren land mourned the loss of life during the drought.	Emotive Fallacy	The land is attributed with the human emotion of mourning, conveying a sense of sadness or grief over the loss of life caused by the drought.

These examples show how inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena are given human-like emotions or characteristics to create a deeper emotional impact on the reader.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Wadsworth Publishing, 2013.
2. Barrell, John. The Idea of Landscape and the Sense of Place, 1730-1840: An Approach to the Poetry of John Clare. Cambridge University Press, 1972.
3. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. Biographia Literaria. Oxford University Press, 1985.
4. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.
5. Eliot, T. S. The Waste Land. Faber and Faber, 1922.
6. Forsyth, Mark. The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase. Berkley, 2014.
7. Keats, John. Selected Poems. Penguin Classics, 2004.
8. Miller, J. Hillis. The Disappearance of God: Five Nineteenth-Century Writers. Harvard University Press, 1963.
9. Richardson, Alan. British Romanticism and the Science of the Mind. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
10. Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Prometheus Unbound. Oxford University Press, 1820.

Introduction

Parody, as a literary device, involves the deliberate imitation and exaggeration of another work’s style, themes, or elements for comedic or satirical purposes. It often highlights and mocks the original work’s characteristics to create humor, critique, or commentary, relying on the audience’s familiarity with the source material for effective communication.

Literary Examples of Parody

• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

This novel parodies the Gothic genre popular in the late 18th century, with its exaggerated melodrama, mysterious castles, and fainting heroines. The protagonist, Catherine Morland, is a parody of the typical Gothic heroine, as she frequently misunderstands and misinterprets the situations, she finds herself in.

• Ulysses by James Joyce

This novel parodies the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer as it follows the protagonist, Leopold Bloom, on a single day in Dublin, rather than on a grand adventure. The novel also uses a stream-of-consciousness style that satirizes traditional narrative techniques.

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

This novel parodies Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” by adding a zombie apocalypse to the story. The novel uses Austen’s original text as a framework, but adds elements of horror and action to create a humorous and unexpected effect.

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This novel parodies the science fiction genre, with its absurd plot twists, quirky characters, and irreverent humor. The novel uses satire to critique the conventions of science fiction, while also offering a commentary on contemporary society.

Creating Parody in a Fictional Work: Tips for Humor and Social Commentary

Step	Explanation	Example
Identify the Elements You Want to Parody	Pinpoint specific themes, characters, situations, or tropes you wish to satirize. Choose elements that are recognizable to your audience for maximum impact.	Parody the “chosen one” trope by creating a protagonist who is anything but heroic.
Mimic the Style	Study the writing style, tone, and techniques of the original work or genre you’re parodying. Replicate the linguistic and narrative features to create a convincing imitation.	Parody a gothic romance novel by using overly dramatic language and descriptions in a comedic context.
Add a Twist	Infuse your parody with unexpected deviations from the original, creating humorous contrasts. Subvert audience expectations while still maintaining a connection to the source material.	In a parody of a detective story, reveal that the crime was committed by a character who had been portrayed as innocent throughout the story.
Use Humor and Satire	Employ wit, clever wordplay, and exaggeration to generate comedic effects. Utilize satire to criticize, mock, or comment on real-world issues through fictional representation.	Create a political satire by portraying fantastical creatures running for office and highlighting absurdities in the political system.
Be Respectful	Approach parody with a lighthearted intent rather than malicious mockery. Avoid crossing the line into offensive or hurtful territory.	Parody a celebrity’s mannerisms without attacking their personal life or making hurtful jokes.
Get Feedback	Share your work with beta readers or peers to gauge their reactions and identify areas for improvement. Constructive feedback can help refine your parody’s effectiveness and relevance.	Share your comedic parody script with a group of friends and revise it based on their suggestions for better comedic timing.

Remember, creating successful parody involves a delicate blend of humor, commentary, and an understanding of the elements you’re satirizing.

Benefits of Using Parody in Creative Works

1. Engages the Audience
   • Parody captures attention by presenting familiar elements in unexpected and humorous ways.
   • The element of surprise and the challenge of recognizing references keep the audience engaged.
2. Offers Social Commentary
   • Parody can serve as a vehicle for subtle or direct commentary on societal issues, norms, and behaviors.
   • By exaggerating or twisting real-world situations, parody prompts reflection and critical thinking.
3. Allows for Creative Expression
   • Parody provides writers and creators a platform to showcase their wit, imagination, and creativity.
   • Through re-imagining established concepts, creators can explore unconventional ideas and perspectives.
4. Increases Exposure
   • Parodies often draw attention due to their connection to popular culture or well-known works.
   • The inherent humor and relatability can lead to content being shared widely, increasing visibility.
5. Builds Community
   • Parody often resonates with like-minded individuals who share an appreciation for the original work.
   • It fosters a sense of belonging and community among those who understand and enjoy the references.
6. Provides Relief
   • Parody serves as a comedic break, offering entertainment and laughter in a world filled with serious content.
   • It lightens the mood and provides relief from stress, making it a valuable form of escapism.

Using parody in creative works can be a powerful tool that not only entertains but also stimulates thought and fosters connections among creators and audiences.

Parody and Literary Theory

It can be analyzed through various literary theories, as it often involves the subversion or critique of existing literary conventions or genres. Here are some examples of literary theories that can be applied to the study of parody:

Literary Theory	Critique of Parody in the Theory	Example
Structuralism Literary Theory	Parody subverts or plays with established literary structures or conventions	In Miguel de Cervantes’ novel, Don Quixote, the protagonist’s misguided quest to become a knight-errant parodies the traditional chivalric romances, subverting the established narrative and character roles of the genre.
Postmodernism Literary Theory	Parody blends genres or styles, embraces irony and self-reflexivity, reflecting fragmented reality	“The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot is a postmodern poem that incorporates multiple voices, literary references, and fragmented imagery, blending different styles and genres to create a complex, ironic, and self-aware reflection of the fragmented modern world.
Marxism Literary Theory	Parody critiques or exposes underlying power structures in a genre or cultural trend	George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm is a satirical allegory that parodies the Russian Revolution and critiques the power dynamics and corruption of the ruling class, highlighting the exploitation and manipulation inherent in the political system.
Feminism Literary Theory	Parody challenges or subverts traditional gender roles or stereotypes	In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the unreliable narrator’s descent into madness parodies and critiques the restrictive gender roles imposed on women in the 19th century, exposing the damaging effects of patriarchal society.
Cultural Studies	Parody reflects or critiques cultural trends or values of a specific time or community	In Douglas Adams’ novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the comedic and satirical elements parody and critique various cultural and social aspects of contemporary society, including bureaucracy, technology, and the human pursuit of meaning.

Suggested Readings

1. Eco, Umberto. The Role of the Reader: Explorations in the Semiotics of Texts. Indiana University Press, 1984.
2. Hutcheon, Linda. A Theory of Parody: The Teachings of Twentieth-Century Art Forms. University of Illinois Press, 2000.
3. Rabkin, Eric S. The Fantastic in Literature. Princeton University Press, 1976.
4. Rose, Maragret. Parody: Ancient, Modern, and Post-Modern. Cambridge University Press, 1995.
5. Wickham, Glynne William Gladstone. A History of the Theatre. Routledge, 2014.