Wise Blood: Personification 2 key examples

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 3
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Little Ape:

In Chapter 3, Hazel pays a second visit to Leora Watts. Feeling uneasy and vulnerable in her presence, he walks around the room looking at things while she watches him. O'Connor uses a simile and personfication to evoke his state of mind:

She rested her chin on her hand and watched him. He began to move around the room, examining this and that. His throat got dryer and his heart began to grip him like a little ape clutching the bars of its cage.

Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Trees and Cloud:

In Chapters 5 and 7, O'Connor uses simile and personification to describe the natural surroundings. Bringing a liveliness and poetic quality to each of the chapters, these descriptions can be read as a lighthearted counterbalance to the otherwise tense dialogue and atmosphere. On the other hand, the personification can also be read as an expression of the characters' paranoia. Neither Hazel nor Enoch seem to trust or even like other people very much, so finding human-like qualities in trees and clouds could indicate that they see even elements of nature as adversaries.

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Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Trees and Cloud:

In Chapters 5 and 7, O'Connor uses simile and personification to describe the natural surroundings. Bringing a liveliness and poetic quality to each of the chapters, these descriptions can be read as a lighthearted counterbalance to the otherwise tense dialogue and atmosphere. On the other hand, the personification can also be read as an expression of the characters' paranoia. Neither Hazel nor Enoch seem to trust or even like other people very much, so finding human-like qualities in trees and clouds could indicate that they see even elements of nature as adversaries.

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