Personify: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'persona', which refers to mask or character, highlighting the idea of giving a face to something that doesn't have one.
• Originally, it appeared in English in the 16th century, connecting literature with the human traits attributed to non-human elements.

Literature

• Many authors use this technique to create relatable characters, such as in children's stories where animals talk and think like humans.
• Classic works, like those by Aesop or Orwell, often showcase this by making animals express human virtues and flaws.

Psychology

• This act can help people relate better to abstract concepts, like love or death, making them feel more tangible and understandable.
• By attributing human qualities to inanimate objects, individuals can often articulate their feelings about those objects in a clearer way.

Pop Culture

• Disney films often personify animals and natural elements, helping convey moral lessons in an engaging way, as seen in movies like 'Zootopia' and 'Frozen'.
• Animated series regularly use this literary device, with characters like talking cars in 'Cars' or household objects in 'Toy Story'.

Art

• Throughout history, artists have personified nature, depicting rivers and mountains with human-like expressions to convey emotions.
• Surrealist art often uses personification to challenge the viewer's perception of reality, encouraging deeper contemplation on human experiences.

This word's position of #30,825 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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