Previous
Pathos
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Content's Handmaids:
As was common in a lot of 18th-century writing, Rowson often uses personification when discussing abstract moral concepts. One example occurs in Chapter 8, in an extended passage about "Content" and her "handmaids:"
Look, my dear friends, at yonder lovely Virgin, arrayed in a white robe devoid of ornament; behold the meekness of her countenance, the modesty of her gait; her handmaids are Humility, Filial Piety, Conjugal Affection, Industry, and Benevolence; her name is Content; she holds in her hand the cup of true felicity, and when once you have formed an intimate acquaintance with these her attendants, nay you must admit them as your bosom friends and chief counsellors, then, whatever may be your situation in life, the meek eyed Virgin will immediately take up her abode with you.
Rowson contrasts "Content" with "Pleasure." Pursuing more and more pleasure inevitably leads to disappointment, she claims, whereas Content allows people to be happy no matter their circumstances. She personifies Content (or contentment, as we might call it) as a "meek eyed Virgin" who wears a simple white robe and carries herself modestly. The idea that contentment is a virgin evokes the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus who supposedly got pregnant without ever having sex. This comparison should help readers see that Rowson is describing a deeply Christian worldview in which the spirit is able to transcend the body and in which bodily pleasure and pain is somewhat irrelevant. She is suggesting that being content in one's life can bring about miraculous salvation regardless of pleasure or pain.
Humans invite contentment into their hearts, Rowson argues, by accepting all of her "handmaids." These handmaids are personified versions of humility (the sense that we aren't too important), filial piety (devotion to our parents and to God as our ultimate father), conjugal affection (love for our spouse), industry (hard work), and benevolence (kindness and generosity to others). If we host all these "handmaids," or morals, in our hearts, contentment will come in as well and save us from any dissatisfaction with our lives.
Charlotte's downfall seems to be that she pursues Pleasure rather than Content; ultimately, on her deathbed, Charlotte is finally forced to be content with a life full of dire consequences for her pursuit of pleasure. Rowson's novel is a cautionary tale against pursuing personal pleasure at the expense of Christian morals. On the one hand, Rowson is right that the world is not kind to many young women who make choices like Charlotte's. On the other hand, we might critique the novel for imposing on Charlotte and other young women the responsibility to adhere to strict Christian morals at the expense of their own happiness and pleasure.
Related Themes:
