Persona: A Literary Device

Etymology of Persona

The word “persona” comes from the Latin term “persona,” which means “mask” or “character.” In ancient Rome, actors used to wear masks to portray different characters in theatrical performances.

The word “persona” was later adopted in psychology to describe the aspect of an individual’s character that they present to others.

Meanings of Persona

Context	Definition
In Literature	In literature, it refers to the narrator or speaker in a text. It also refers to a character created by a writer or artist to represent a specific point of view.
In Psychology	In psychology, the persona is the public image that an individual presents to others, which may differ from their true personality.
In Marketing and Advertising	In marketing and advertising, it is a fictional character created to embody and represent a brand’s identity and values.
In Video Games	In video games, a player persona is the digital representation of a player within the game world.

Persona in Grammar

• Grammatically, it is a singular noun in English, meaning that it refers to a single entity or concept.
• The plural forms of “persona” are “personae” or “personas.”
• It is important to note that the term is often used in the singular form even when referring to multiple characters or identities, as it is commonly understood as a collective term encompassing multiple individual personas.
• In addition, it also functions as an adjective in certain contexts, such as “persona non grata,” which means an unwelcome or unacceptable person.

Definition of Persona

As a literary device, it refers to the character or narrator created by an author to tell a story or convey a particular point of view within a work of literature. It often involves the author adopting a distinct identity, voice, and perspective to engage with the audience.

Its use allows authors to explore diverse viewpoints, evoke emotions, and establish a unique narrative voice, enriching the storytelling experience for readers.

Types of Persona

There are several types commonly recognized, including:

Type	Explanation	Example
Personal	It is the image that an individual presents to others in their personal and social interactions.	Sarah is outgoing and friendly with her friends.
Professional	It is the image that an individual presents to others in their professional or work-related interactions.	John is professional and serious in the office.
Brand	It is a fictional character or image that represents a brand or company’s values, characteristics, and identity.	Coca-Cola’s brand persona is a jolly Santa Claus.
Buyer	It is a fictional representation of a company’s ideal customer, based on market research and analysis.	XYZ Company’s buyer persona is a tech-savvy millennial.
User	It is a fictional representation of a product’s ideal user, based on user research and analysis.	The user persona for a fitness app is an active gym-goer.
Role	It means itis assumed or adopted as part of a specific role or context, such as a character in a play or a representative of an organization.	In a school play, Maria takes on the role persona of a brave explorer.
Social	It shows that an individual presents to others in their online interactions, such as social media or online forums.	On social media, Mark portrays a witty and humorous persona.

Literary Examples of Persona

Work	Persona Explanation
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger	Holden Caulfield creates a persona of a rebellious teenager disillusioned with the adult world, masking his own fears and insecurities. The reader glimpses his vulnerable and lonely true self.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald	Jay Gatsby constructs a persona of a wealthy, successful man to impress Daisy, but his true identity is revealed as he obsesses over the past and lost love.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith	Tom Ripley assumes a persona of a wealthy, sophisticated man to fit into high society, yet he’s an unstable con artist and imposter.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson	Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde represent two personas: one a respectable doctor, the other a violent criminal. Jekyll creates Hyde to indulge his darker desires, losing control of his alter-ego.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee	Atticus Finch adopts a persona of a calm, rational, and just man, providing insight into the injustices and prejudices of the 1930s Southern United States.
“The Tell-Tale Heart”by Edgar Allan Poe	The narrator creates an individuality having sanity and reason, despite being driven mad by the old man’s heartbeat. Through it, the reader witnesses the narrator’s descent into madness.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Hill and Wang, 2013.
2. Brooks, Cleanth. The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry. Harcourt Brace, 1947.
3. Eco, Umberto. Six Walks in the Fictional Woods. Harvard University Press, 1994.
4. Pessoa, Fernando. The Book of Disquiet. Translated by Richard Zenith, Penguin Classics, 2002.
5. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Barnes & Noble Classics, 2008.