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Motifs
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
Explanation and Analysis—The Weather:
Throughout The Red Badge of Courage, Crane personifies the weather, describing changes in the rural landscape as originating from human motivations. This is evident from Crane’s description of sunrise at the opening of the novel:
The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting.
Related Themes:
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—The Living Forest:
When Henry encounters battle for the time, he becomes terrified and flees into a nearby forest, where he discovers the body of a dead Union soldier. As Henry leaves the forest, hearing the noise of a new battle outside it, Crane uses personification to characterize the foliage and create an urgent, eerie atmosphere:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Sometimes the brambles formed chains and tried to hold him back. Trees, confronting him, stretched out their arms and forbade him to pass[.]
Related Themes:
Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis—Gunfire as Speech:
Gunfire is ever-present in The Red Badge of Courage, and Crane often describes exchanges of bullets using the language of dialogue or speech. Crane characterizes cannon fire as “stentorian speeches” and remarks, during a battle, that guns were "roaring without an instant’s pause for breath.” At several points, he figuratively describes guns as possessing voices:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The voices of the cannon were clamoring in interminable chorus.
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