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Paradox
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
Key Examples in Piranesi
Part 1
Explanation and Analysis—The House:
Throughout the novel, Piranesi personifies The House, which is what he calls the surreal distributary world in which he lives. Take, for example, this passage from the beginning of the novel:
A great Hand of Water reached out to pluck me from the Wall. I flung my arms around the Legs of the Woman carrying a Beehive and prayed to the House to protect me.
[...]
Then, just as suddenly as it began, it was over. The Joined Tides swept on into the surrounding Halls. [...]
I realised that I was holding on to something. I opened my hand and found a marble Finger from some Faraway Statue that the Tides had placed there.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.
Related Themes:
