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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
Personification
Explanation and Analysis—Morning Again:
At many moments throughout the book, the narrator takes a moment to specifically describe the dawning of a new day or the end of one in a sunset. This is, on a simple level, a way to move the story forward to the next day, a way to indicate in an interesting way that one day in the story has ended and another has begun.
Related Themes:
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Him-with-the-square-toes:
Death is personified in the book in a novel and strange way, as a man with square toes. This personification of Death arrives as Jody is dying:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So Janie began to think of Death. Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now.
Chapter 18
Explanation and Analysis—The Monster:
Lake Okeechobee, after it is struck by the hurricane late in the book, is personified as an old monster with human traits, with strange specifics in the description. The first personified image of the hurricane comes as it is just beginning:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[The storm] woke up old Okeechobee and the monster began to roll in his bed. Began to roll and complain like a peevish world on a grumble. The folks in the quarters and the people in the big houses further around the shore heard the big lake and wondered. The people felt uncomfortable but safe because there were the seawalls to chain the senseless monster in his bed.
Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis—Him-with-the-square-toes:
Death is personified in the book in a novel and strange way, as a man with square toes. This personification of Death arrives as Jody is dying:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So Janie began to think of Death. Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him? He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where or a when or a then. She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now.
