Example of Personification in Literature and Ads
Alright y’all, let’s talk about something that sneaks into stories and ads like that one friend who never knows when to leave: personification.
You know—when the wind “whispers,” or your sneakers “beg you to run.” Yeah, that. I learned the hard way that personification is basically the secret sauce that makes words pop.
I remember the first time I spotted an example of personification in a novel. It hit me like a rogue squirrel on a bike—unexpected but unforgettable.
So, What the Heck is Personification?
No fancy talk here: personification is when you take something boring, like a chair or the sun, and give it human-like vibes.
- The sun smiled down on us.
- The car groaned and rattled like it just woke up.
- My coffee whispered, “Drink me, I dare you.”
I swear, every time I write, I try to sneak in some of these. Makes the story a helluva lot more fun.
Why Do Writers and Marketers Love Personification So Much?
Fast forward past me struggling with English homework, here’s the kicker: humans connect with other humans better than anything else.
So, if a tree “sighs” or a phone “moans” when it’s low on battery, we kinda feel for them. Weird? Maybe. Effective? Heck yeah.
My neighbor Tina swears her little tomato plant “cheers her on” when she’s had a rough day. No joke. She’s probably onto something.
Classic Literature’s Best Examples of Personification
Lemme tell you, personification isn’t some newfangled hipster trend. Nah. It’s been around forever.
Emily Dickinson’s Death (Yeah, Death)
“Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me –”
Death here ain’t some scary monster. Nope, he’s a polite gentleman. Creepy but classy.
George Orwell’s Animals with a Political Agenda
Animal Farm? More like Animal Politics 101. Every animal’s got human quirks. That’s a huge example of personification making political critique way easier to swallow.
Hemingway’s Boat That “Shivers”
One of my personal faves. Hemingway writes the boat “shivering” like it’s scared or cold. I picture it all wrapped in a tiny blanket.
I once spilled coffee on my printed version of this paragraph—smudged the words, but hey, it gave the boat a whole new level of ‘distress.’
Poems: Where Personification Parties Hard
Poets loooove giving feelings a face.
William Blake’s Joy and Angels
“…He’d have God for his father & never want joy.”
Joy isn’t just a word here; it’s something you want like your last slice of pizza.
Sylvia Plath’s Mirror That Tells the Truth
“I am silver and exact…”
The mirror talking? Now that hit me in the feels. Makes me wanna check my own reflection for a chat.
Kids’ Books and Animated Ads: Personification Playground
Remember The Giving Tree? That tree’s giving spirit? Pure heartbreaker.
Disney’s Cars? Every car’s got a personality. Lightning McQueen’s sass? Classic example of personification on four wheels.
Ads That Use Personification to Hook You
Listen, ads gotta hustle to get you to buy stuff. Personification is their weapon of choice.
Like the M&M’s guys—those little candies with arms and opinions? Genius. I want to hang with them more than some people I know. (Don’t tell my friends.)
The Michelin Man: Tire Guardian Extraordinaire
He’s not just a mascot—he’s a buddy who “protects” your family. Weirdly comforting when your tire’s flat at midnight.
The Magic of Coca-Cola’s Vending Machine World
Remember that ad where the vending machine is like a tiny universe? That’s personification making a soda feel like a magical experience.
Siri and Alexa: Personification in the Tech Age
Y’all, these AI assistants are basically family now. They “understand” us, “remind” us, and sometimes “ignore” us. (I’m looking at you, Alexa, why won’t you play that song?)
Making Your Own Personification: Here’s How I Botch It (And Fix It)
Alright, wanna sound hella clever? Try this on for size:
- Pick something boring. Like, your old lawn mower.
- Imagine it has feelings. Maybe it’s tired or sassy.
- Write something like: “The lawn mower groaned under the weight of my terrible gardening skills.”
Wait—was it nitrogen-rich soil the grass needs? Or potassium? I’ll Google that after this paragraph.
Pro tip: The cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave survived my overwatering phase. Bless its rusty heart.
Personification in Slogans: Tiny Phrases That Work Big
- Red Bull: “It gives you wings.” Like energy is a tiny angel.
- The New York Times: “Truth is worth it.” Truth ain’t just a fact—it’s a warrior.
- McDonald’s Happy Meal: “The meal that smiles back.” Kinda creepy, but effective.
Personification Builds Brand Loyalty? Who Knew?
Turns out, people buy from brands they like. Personification makes products seem less like robots and more like pals.
Political Mascots and Social Campaigns Use It Too
Smokey Bear? He’s more than a mascot. He’s the grumpy uncle yelling, “Only you can prevent forest fires!”
Earth Day campaigns telling us “The Earth is crying”? That’s a gut punch example of personification designed to make you care.
When Personification Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Tale
I once wrote, “The stapler was angry.” Yikes.
Better: “The stapler snapped shut like it was fed up with my mess.”
There’s a fine line between relatable and ridiculous, and my first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary.
Wrapping It Up (But Not Like a Boring Wrap)
Personification is everywhere. It sneaks into your favorite book, your favorite ad, even your voice assistant.
The next time you hear “the sun smiled,” just smile back. Or at least don’t look crazy doing it.
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