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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: Leonie
Explanation and Analysis—Time's Appetite:
Leonie looks at Mam’s cooling body and thinks about what living in the Mississippi countryside has shown her. Ward uses alliteration and personification to bring the scene to life, as Leonie thinks about the painful lessons her childhood taught her:
Growing up out here in the country taught me things. Taught me that after the first fat flush of life, time eats away at things: it rusts machinery, it matures animals to become hairless and featherless, and it withers plants [...] since Mama got sick, I learned pain can do that too. Can eat a person until there’s nothing but bone and skin and a thin layer of blood left.
Related Themes:
Chapter 11: Jojo
Explanation and Analysis—Death's Mouth:
As Mam lies dying, Jojo feels torn between needing to ask her something and knowing that speaking may exhaust her. Ward uses metaphor and personification to show how intensely Jojo fears that asking Mam for anything might bring her death closer:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I have to ask even though I know the telling hurts her. Even though I feel like speaking’s bringing her leaving closer. Death, a great mouth set to swallow.
Related Themes:
