Anthropomorphism: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Anthropomorphism: Etymology and Meanings
The term “anthropomorphism” derives from the Ancient Greek words “anthrōpos” (ἄνθρωπος), meaning “human,” and “morphē” (μορφή), meaning “form” or “shape.” This etymological root reflects the core concept of attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.
Literal Meaning
- Ascribing human form: In its most literal sense, anthropomorphism refers to the depiction of gods, animals, or objects with a human-like physical appearance.
Conceptual Meanings
- Attributing human traits: This extends beyond physical form to encompass the assignment of human emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and motivations to non-human entities.
- Understanding through human lens: Anthropomorphism can be a cognitive tool used to comprehend and relate to the world around us by interpreting it through a familiar human framework.
Anthropomorphism: Definition as a Literary Device
Anthropomorphism, as a literary device, involves the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural forces. This technique can serve multiple functions within a narrative: creating relatable characters, offering social commentary through allegory, or simply enhancing the imaginative appeal of a story. Anthropomorphism is prevalent in various genres, from children’s literature and fables to fantasy and science fiction, and its use can significantly impact how readers engage with and interpret the text.
Anthropomorphism: Examples in Everyday Life
| Example | Explanation |
| Children’s Toys | Dolls and stuffed animals that talk, have emotions, or engage in human-like activities. |
| Advertising Mascots | Characters like Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes) who speak and display human-like traits. |
| Pet Behavior | Describing a dog as “smiling” or a cat as “sulking,” attributing human emotions to animals. |
| Animated Films | Characters like Simba from “The Lion King” displaying human emotions such as fear and joy. |
| Weather Descriptions | Saying “the angry sky” or “the playful breeze,” assigning human emotions to natural elements. |
| Car Names and Ads | Giving cars names and describing them as “powerful” or “elegant,” anthropomorphizing them. |
| Technology Interfaces | Voice assistants like Siri or Alexa responding with human-like speech patterns and personalities. |
| Sports Team Mascots | Mascots like the Philly Phanatic (Philadelphia Phillies) engaging in human-like antics. |
| Art and Literature | Paintings or stories depicting animals with human characteristics, such as Aesop’s Fables. |
| Political Cartoons | Depicting nations as human figures (e.g., Uncle Sam for the United States) with exaggerated traits. |
Anthropomorphism in Literature: Examples
| Work | Character/Object | Anthropomorphic Trait(s) | Explanation and Significance |
| Aesop’s Fables | The Tortoise and the Hare | Talking, reasoning, competing | Animals behave like humans to teach moral lessons about patience and arrogance. |
| The Adventures of Pinocchio (Carlo Collodi) | Pinocchio | Talking, feeling, learning | A wooden puppet’s desire to become a real boy explores themes of morality and growth. |
| The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) | Mr. Toad, Ratty, Mole | Driving cars, wearing clothes, having distinct personalities | Animals with human characteristics create a charming world of friendship and adventure. |
| Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll) | The White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat | Talking, wearing clothes, displaying complex emotions | Animals and objects with human traits contribute to the dreamlike and absurd atmosphere. |
| Animal Farm (George Orwell) | The pigs, Boxer (the horse) | Speaking, organizing a rebellion, forming complex social structures | Anthropomorphized animals satirize political events and human behavior. |
| Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) | Black Beauty (the horse) | Narrates his life story, expresses emotions and opinions | The horse’s perspective allows the reader to empathize with animal welfare issues. |
| The Jungle Book (Rudyard Kipling) | Baloo (the bear), Bagheera (the panther), Kaa (the snake) | Talking, mentoring Mowgli, displaying human-like emotions | Animals act as surrogate parents and teachers for Mowgli, emphasizing the importance of community and loyalty. |
| Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Robert C. O’Brien) | The rats of NIMH | Increased intelligence, creating a complex society with technology | Anthropomorphism explores the potential of animal intelligence and the ethics of scientific experimentation. |
| Watership Down (Richard Adams) | Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig (rabbits) | Speaking, complex social structures, heroic journeys | Rabbits with human emotions and motivations create a compelling adventure story about survival and leadership. |
| Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) | Wilbur (the pig), Charlotte (the spider), Templeton (the rat) | Talking, forming friendships, experiencing complex emotions | Anthropomorphized animals explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life. |
Anthropomorphism in Literature: Shakespearean
| Play | Example | Explanation |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Titania addresses Bottom as an “ass” (Act 3, Scene 1) | Titania’s use of “ass” reflects a moment of literal anthropomorphism, where she interacts with Bottom in his transformed state as a donkey. |
| Macbeth | “Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care” (Act 2, Scene 2) | Sleep is personified here, anthropomorphized as a figure capable of performing a human action—knitting—which adds a tangible, relatable quality to the abstraction of sleep. |
| Julius Caesar | “Cowards die many times before their deaths” (Act 2, Scene 2) | Death is personified, portraying it as an active agent that “comes” to humans, giving it a human quality that enhances the poetic impact of the statement. |
Anthropomorphism in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance of Anthropomorphism |
| Structuralism | Anthropomorphism can be seen as a form of symbolic representation, where animals or objects take on human characteristics to convey deeper meanings. |
| Post-structuralism | Critiques the use of anthropomorphism as a means of reinforcing human-centered perspectives and challenging these in texts. |
| Psychoanalysis | Views anthropomorphism as a projection of human desires, fears, or emotions onto non-human entities, revealing subconscious themes. |
| Feminist Theory | Examines how anthropomorphism might reinforce or challenge gender norms and roles through its portrayal of non-human characters. |
| Marxist Theory | Analyzes anthropomorphism in terms of social hierarchy and power dynamics, often critiquing how it reflects or challenges class structures. |
| Postcolonial Theory | Investigates how anthropomorphism might perpetuate or subvert colonial narratives and attitudes towards indigenous cultures. |
| Ecocriticism | Considers anthropomorphism in its depiction of nature and animals, exploring how it shapes environmental ethics and perspectives. |
| Narratology | Studies how anthropomorphism influences narrative structure and character development, affecting reader engagement and empathy. |
Anthropomorphism in Literature: Relevant Terms
| Device | Definition |
| Anthropomorphism | Assigning human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities (animals, objects, nature). |
| Personification | A figure of speech where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities or actions. |
| Zoomorphism | Assigning animalistic qualities to humans, objects, or concepts. |
| Allegory | A story with a hidden meaning, often using characters to represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. |
| Fable Apostrophe | Addressing an absent person, abstract idea, or inanimate object as if present and capable of response. |
| Simile | Comparing two unlike things using “like” or ” ** Pathetic Fallacy |
Anthropomorphism in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Ackerman, Karen. Animals Speak: How Animals Communicate through Sight, Sound and Smell. Penguin Books, 2020
- Berger, John. Why Look at Animals?. Penguin Books, 2009.
- Calarco, Matthew. Zoographies: The Question of the Animal from Heidegger to Derrida. Columbia University Press, 2008.
- Haraway, Donna. When Species Meet. University of Minnesota Press, 2008.
- Mitchell, W. J. T. What Do Pictures Want?: The Lives and Loves of Images. University of Chicago Press, 2005.