Personification in Poetry: A Guide to Understanding and Creating

Personification is a powerful literary device where human traits are assigned to non-human entities, breathing life and relatability into natural or inanimate objects. This technique enriches the imagery and narrative depth of poetry, allowing the reader to connect more intimately with the subject matter. In this article, we will explore the concept of personification, analyze examples from renowned poets, and provide tips for incorporating this device into your own writing.

Understanding Personification

Personification is a technique that frames inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts as if they were human. This literary device helps convey emotions, add personality, and make the content more relatable. For instance, attributing human feelings or behaviors to flowers, trees, or the wind makes the description more vivid and evocative.

Examples of Personification

William Wordsworth (Daffodils)
In his famous poem, Wordsworth personifies the daffodils, attributing them with human-like behavior:

"Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."

This line transforms the daffodils from mere flowers into playful, animated beings, enhancing the imagery and enhancing the readers' connection to the natural beauty described.

Additional Examples in Poetry

Sir Philip Sidney (Sonnet 31)
In this sonnet, Sidney uses personification and apostrophe to personify the moon:

"With how sad steps O Moon thou climb’st the skies."

The moon is portrayed as sad, which conveys the narrator's emotional state. This technique not only evokes a sense of empathy for the moon but also indirectly expresses the poet’s feelings.

Personal Poem: Personified Nation

The following is a poignant poem that personifies the nation of India. It captures the struggle and achievement of the country:

“IS INDIA INDEPENDENT I am colony of Britainn Freedom attempts have gone in vainn I am sane but became insanen I have to suffer a lot of pain I just had too much fear That soaked my every tear But later Britishers were afraid Due to my fighters raid And then came the day of INDEPENDENCEn Today I smelled freedoms fragrancen I had everyones benevolencen I figured out my sixth sense I got released from British rulen Now my children could go to their school Today my every injury was heeled Now every institution was wheeled I had to work day and night To just see that hope of light This gave me a great sight I got reward of my fight Now lets come to the present The weather is not at all pleasant I have got many threats For which I dont have trapping nets Everyones carin…”

Personification is used to describe the nation's journey from being a colony to obtaining freedom. The poem uses vivid and emotional language to bring the struggles and triumphs of India to life, emphasizing the psychological and physical pain endured by the nation on its path to independence.

Identifying Personification in Poetry

To identify personification in a poem, look for instances where non-human entities are given human qualities. Ask yourself questions like:

Does the object perform human actions? Is the object assigned human emotions? Are human traits or behaviors inaccurately applied to the object?

Examples of Personification in Poetry

Personal Experience in High School:
In a personal experience poem, personification is used to describe the toll of perseverance during a challenging day:

"My lungs demanded I stop moving forwards But still I forced myself to continue Ignoring the trees that whispered all around. As the wind howled through the night. I’ll make it home I’ll make it home I’ll make it home Were the thoughts running around inside my mind. I’ll make it home I’ll make it home I’ll make it home The night crept up on me Until I couldn’t see at all. I’ll make it home I’ll make it home I’ll make it home Until I couldn’t see at all. The night crept up on me Until I couldn’t see at all. I’ll make it home I’ll make it home I’ll make it home Until I couldn’t see at all."

In this poem, the trees are personified as whispering, and the wind is personified as howling, creating a vivid and emotional setting for the narrator's journey. This technique makes the poem more relatable to readers who might have experienced similar challenges.

How to Use Personification Effectively in Your Poem

1. **Choose Appropriate Traits:** Ensure the human traits you apply are fitting for the subject. For example, using the trait of 'dancing' for flowers is natural and relatable. 2. **Build a Narrative:** Use personification to build a story or convey a message. Each human-like action or emotion assigned to an object should contribute to the overall theme or message of the poem. 3. **Strengthen Imagery:** Personification enhances the imagery by making abstract concepts more tangible. Describe the wind as howling or the trees as whispering, and the reader can easily visualize the scene.

Conclusion

Personification is a powerful tool in poetry that can transform static scenes into dynamic stories. By assigning human traits to non-human entities, poets can create engaging and relatable content. Whether you are an aspiring poet or a seasoned writer, understanding and utilizing personification can enhance your work and captivate your audience.