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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 6
Explanation and Analysis—The Singing Stream:
After some time getting to know Bedap's circle of friends, Shevek is invited on a 10-day hiking tour into the mountains. The mountain environment is unfamiliar to the group, especially the flowing mountain stream, which the narrative personifies:
There was little running water on Anarres; the water table was low in most places, rivers were short. Only in the mountains were there quick-running streams. The sound of water shouting and clattering and singing was new to them.
Related Themes:
Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Propertarian Birds:
After Shevek discovers, through a newspaper, the proxy war between A-Io and Thu that is taking place in Benbili, he is filled with feelings of sickness and anger that tint his thoughts and his view of the world around him. He considers his own relationship to Ioti society—and his strategic silence regarding his General Temporal Theory—in light of this latest confirmation that A-Io is not fundamentally trustworthy as Shevek so dearly wants to believe.
His disgust with Ioti propertarianism leads to an instance of personification involving the birds singing in the trees of the university campus:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The birds were singing in the newly leafed trees. He had not heard them sing all winter, but now they were at it, pouring it out, the sweet tunes. Ree-dee, they sang, tee-dee. This is my propertee-tee, this is my territoree-ree-ree, it belongs to mee, mee. Shevek stood still for a minute under the trees, listening.
Related Themes:
