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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 17. Crossing the Threshold: 1960
Explanation and Analysis—Leaves in the Wind:
As a gust of wind sends thousands of yellow leaves flying, Kya observes their movement from below. The narrator uses personification and visual imagery to show Kya’s emotional response to watching the sycamore leaves dance joyfully across the sky:
And just at that second, the wind picked up, and thousands upon thousands of yellow sycamore leaves broke from their life support and streamed across the sky. Autumn leaves don’t fall: they fly. They take their time and wander on this, their only chance to soar. Reflecting sunlight, they swirled and sailed and fluttered on the wind drafts.
Related Themes:
Chapter 57. The Firefly
Explanation and Analysis—No Family:
Kya looks back on her childhood and sees that "Nature" stepped in where her parents and siblings abandoned her. Here, Owens uses metaphor and personification to explain how Kya’s isolation shaped her journey from childhood into adulthood:
Unlock with LitCharts A+She knew the years of isolation had altered her behavior until she was different from others, but it wasn’t her fault she’d been alone. Most of what she knew, she’d learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would. If consequences resulted from her behaving differently, then they too were functions of life’s fundamental core.
Related Themes:
