Peter Pan

by J.M. Barrie

Peter Pan: Personification 2 key examples

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 2: The Shadow
Explanation and Analysis—Stars:

Personification enhances the whimsical aspect of Peter Pan. In Chapter 2, the narrator describes how the stars "watch" Mr. and Mrs. Darling walk across the street to another house:

[...] all the stars were watching them. Stars are beautiful, but they may not take an active part in anything, they must just look on forever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. So the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak (winking is the star language), but the little ones still wonder.

Chapter 14: The Pirate Ship
Explanation and Analysis—The Pirate Ship:

Personification enhances the description of Captain Hook's pirate ship in Chapter 14:

One green light squinting over Kidd's Creek, which is near the mouth of the pirate river, marked where the brig, the Jolly Roger, lay, low in the water; a rakish-looking craft foul to the hull, every beam in her detestable like ground strewn with mangled feathers. She was the cannibal of the seas, and scarce needed that watchful eye, for she floated immune in the horror of her name [...] She was wrapped in the blanket of night, through which no sound from her could have reached the shore. There was little sound, and none agreeable save the whir of the ship's sewing machine[...]

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