Metaphorical Personification vs. Metonymic Personification: Techniques in Figurative Language

The art of literary and poetic expression often relies on the use of figurative language. Among the techniques employed by language masters, metaphorical and metonymic personification stand out as powerful tools for conveying abstract ideas through the seemingly ordinary. Both techniques use non-literal language to create vivid and evocative imagery, but they do so in distinctly different ways. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of both forms, providing examples and elucidating their unique features.

Difference Between Metaphorical Personification and Metonymic Personification

The primary difference between metaphorical personification and metonymic personification lies in the way they represent abstract concepts. While both are forms of figurative language, they operate in complementary yet distinct manners.

Metaphorical Personification: Direct Comparison

Metaphorical personification involves the direct comparison of an abstract concept to a human or animate being. This technique uses figurative language to attribute human traits to non-living or abstract entities, thereby making them more relatable and tangible. One of the earliest definitions of a metaphor comes from the Oxford Dictionary, which describes it as a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable [1].

Metonymic Personification: Indirect Representations

Metonymic personification, on the other hand, employs figurative language to represent an abstract concept through a related or associated entity. This technique does not directly compare the abstract concept to a human but rather uses a thing or concept that is closely associated with it. For example, if we talk about 'posterity,' we are referring to future generations, and instead of directly addressing future generations, we might say 'the future.' This subtle substitution makes the concept more accessible and comprehensible.

Exploring Examples and Definitions

Expert Definitions: According to the Oxford Dictionary, personification is a form of metaphor where non-human things (abstract ideas, inanimate objects) are attributed with human qualities:

Personification: “A figure of speech by which animals, abstract ideas, or inanimate things are referred to as if they were human.”

Furthermore, the definition of a metaphor in the Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable states that a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison between two different things is implied, but not clearly stated [2]. This comparison is often referred to as compressed or condensed to make it more powerful.

Metaphor: “A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. Recorded from the late 15th century, the word comes via French and Latin from Greek metaphora from metapherein to transfer.”

Examples of Metaphorical Personification

Consider the following examples of metaphorical personification:

“Drunk with fatigue”

Variety is the spice of life”

The camel is the ship of the desert”

She has a stony heart”

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit” - Shakespeare

In each of these examples, abstract concepts (fatigue, variety, the desert, a heart, rudeness) are personified by attributing human-like qualities or behaviors to them. This technique makes the abstract more palatable and relatable to the reader or listener.

Examples of Metonymic Personification

Metonymic personification works by using closely related concepts to represent abstract ideas. Consider the following examples:

Proud be the rose with rains and dews” - Wordsworth

And now the storm-blast came and he /n was tyrannous and strong” - Coleridge

Fortune is merry /n And in this mood will give us anything” - Shakespeare

In the first example, the rose (a plant) is personified to symbolize pride or nobility. In the second, the storm-blast (a natural force) is personified to convey power and intensity. In the third, fortune (an abstract concept of luck or prosperity) is personified as a being who can be in good or bad moods, influencing human outcomes.

Conclusion

Both metaphorical personification and metonymic personification are sophisticated literary techniques used to make abstract ideas more relatable and vivid. While metaphorical personification directly compares abstract concepts to human beings, metonymic personification uses a related entity to represent the idea. These techniques enhance the expressiveness and impact of language, making complex ideas more accessible and memorable.

Understanding the nuances of these techniques not only enriches our appreciation of literature but also enhances our own communication skills, whether in writing or speaking. Whether it's a series of powerful metaphors or carefully chosen metonymic substitutions, the ability to create vivid imagery through figurative language is a hallmark of skillful writing and expression.

[1] Oxford Dictionary. (n.d.). Metaphor. Retrieved from [2] Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. (n.d.). Metaphor. Retrieved from