Literary
Terms
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is giving human traits or
attributes to animals, inanimate objects or other non-human things. It comes
from the Greek words anthropo (human) and morph (form). It is a literary device
that can be defined as a technique in which a writer ascribes human traits,
ambitions, emotions, or entire behaviors to animals, non-human beings, natural
phenomena, or objects.
Examples:
1
Anthropomorphism
can also be a mistake. Some people think that eagles and other birds of prey look
angry, just because of the way their eyes are shaped. Birds don’t have the same
facial expressions as human beings, so it’s an error to look at an eagle’s eyes
and conclude that she is angry – this is anthropomorphizing the bird.
2
An
entire organization might be described through an anthropomorphic analogy or
metaphor if its various members were thought of as body parts. For example, the
brains of the organization would be its leader; the muscle would be a tough
henchman; and the eyes and ears would be the organization’s spy network.
3
Sometimes,
we anthropomorphize parts of our own bodies. For example, the common expression
“listen to your heart” suggests that the heart speaks to us.
Anthropomorphism
can make a story more accessible to children. Children love to see animals and
inanimate objects (such as cars or kitchen implements) behave like people.
Anthropomorphic
analogies can help make an abstract point more concrete. For example, in
discussions of foreign policy people often talk of the behavior of whole
countries as if those countries were individuals.
Types of Anthropomorphism
i.
Literal Anthropomorphism
Literal
Anthropomorphism is when something is just literally shaped like a human, or
literally shown as acting human. A cartoon animal who wears clothes is an
example of literal anthropomorphism. Similarly, animals playing the piano or
trees talking to each other would be examples of literal anthropomorphism. In a
formal essay there is no reason to use literal anthropomorphism.
ii.
Metaphorical Anthropomorphism
(personification)
In Metaphorical
Anthropomorphism or Personification, an inanimate object is described as if it
were a person. This is one particular form of anthropomorphism, and also a form
of metaphor. It’s fine to use a little personification in formal essays, but like
any metaphor, it shouldn’t be taken too far in an essay, since the goal of essays
is to be direct and make your point straightforwardly.
Examples
of personification:
The
wind
howled.
The
calm water hides many secrets.
The
little town huddled against the exposed cliff face.
iii.
Anthropomorphic Analogy
Anthropomorphic
analogy is different from personification by the presence of comparing language
– words like “as” or “like.”
iv.
Symbolic
Anthropomorphism
Symbolic
Anthropomorphism is, when a human (or human-like) character stands in
symbolically for something else. Unlike personification, this isn’t just a
metaphor – it’s an extended symbol that goes to the essence of who the
character is. For example, the Greek god Poseidon is an anthropomorphic
(human-formed) symbol for the sea, and similarly Aeolus is an anthropomorphic
symbol for the wind.
Examples:
1
Normal
Sentence: We feed our pets in exchange for their affection.
Anthropomorphic
Metaphor: Our pets buy their food with affection.
With
Anthropomorphic Analogy: It’s as if our pets buy their food with
affection.
2
Normal
Sentence: The rusted hinges made an unpleasant sound as the door
opened.
With
Anthropomorphic Metaphor: The rusted hinges shrieked in protest
as the door opened.
With
Anthropomorphic Analogy: The rusted hinges made a sound like a
shriek as the door opened.
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