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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 10: Gift of the Magi
Explanation and Analysis—A Wheezing House:
Midway through the novel, winter hits Vineland. Thatcher is concerned about his house: his family is cold, and the structure only provides meager insulation. Kingsolver describes his predicament using personification and alliteration:
Her father's house, devoutly defended through autumn, was revealing its adversity. Gracie bent herself double keeping the fires lit in rooms that inhaled winter through wheezing walls and windows.
In this passage, Kingsolver personifies Thatcher's house by describing it as "[inhaling] winter" and "wheezing." These human traits help readers understand the plight of the house as similar to ill health: it's fragile, doing its best but struggling against the elements. While this strengthens the impression of an emotional connection between Thatcher and his home, it also matches the broader pattern of comparing structures and bodies. Nick, for instance, is likened to a deteriorating house as his body slowly succumbs to his illness. This pattern encourages readers to care for and nurture their lived environments just as they do their bodies.
This passage is also rich with alliteration. The phrases "devoutly defended" and "wheezing walls and windows" bring the sentence to life and invite readers inside the sensory experience it describes. The sound of the sentence is rhythmic, blustery, and similar to the blowing of wind through windows. By matching content with form, Kingsolver enriches the texture of her novel.
