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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
Chapter 1: Whitechapel
Explanation and Analysis—Sun, See Me Out:
The last sentence of Chapter 1 includes Whitechapel personifying the sun:
The sun begins because it must. When will it die? Will I witness the death? Sun, see me out of this world. I have more family on that other side than on this. Bear me to them. Warm my frozen eyes. Sweeten my mouth. Stir my dead loins. I’ll lie down here. Cover me.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Like Gluttons:
In Chapter 1, Whitechapel recalls the whipping of Chapel, describing the way the lash bit into Chapel's flesh with a simile:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The whip ate into him, but like all gluttons who have gorged themselves to their fill, it bit and chewed without swallowing and simply bit and chewed some more, until its mouth was so full that food seeped out its corners to make room for more.
Related Themes:
Forgetting
Explanation and Analysis—Whitechapel's Death?:
The concluding sentences of The Longest Memory include a personification of death and a metaphor describing memory:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The light going out is death’s shadow; death sitting up suddenly behind the plate-glass of the eyes. I must sit down. No, lie down. Rest these eyes, tired of trying not to see. Rest this mouth. Stop tasting the sourness there. Forget. Memory is pain trying to resurrect itself.
Related Themes:
