What is Personification — Definition and Examples

What is Personification?

Personification Definition

Personification in film is a literary and cinematic technique in which an inanimate object or abstract concept is given human qualities, characteristics, or behaviors. This technique is used to create a more engaging and relatable story by bringing the audience closer to the character or object being personified.

In film, personification can be used to make a character or object more memorable, to create a deeper emotional connection with the audience, or to emphasize a particular theme or message. For example, a car may be personified in a movie to create a sense of excitement or danger during a high-speed chase scene, or a computer system may be personified to create a sense of unease or distrust in a science-fiction film.

Personification can be achieved through various means, including the use of voice-over narration, visual effects, and music. For instance, the animated film "Beauty and the Beast" uses personification to bring the castle's enchanted objects to life, each with their own unique personalities and characteristics

What is an Example of Personification?

Examples of Personification

An example of personification is: "The wind howled through the night." Here, the wind is given a human quality of howling, which is something only humans can do. Personification is a literary device used to give human characteristics or emotions to non-human things or animals. It is often used in poetry and fiction to create vivid imagery and engage the reader's imagination.

1. The sun smiled down on the beachgoers.
2. The leaves danced in the wind.
3. The thunder growled angrily in the distance.

What is an Example of Personification in Academy Award-Winning Films?

Three Academy Award-Winning Films Using Personification

1. "Life of Pi" (2012): This film tells the story of a young Indian man named Pi who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The film's use of personification is most notable in the character of the tiger, which is given a distinct personality and emotions that make it feel like a real character rather than just an animal.
2. "Her" (2013): This film tells the story of a lonely writer who falls in love with an artificial intelligence operating system named Samantha. The film's use of personification is most notable in the character of Samantha, who is given a voice and a personality that feels human-like despite being an AI.
3.  "The Shape of Water" (2017): This film tells the story of a mute woman who falls in love with a humanoid amphibian creature that is being held captive in a research facility. The film's use of personification is most notable in the character of the creature, which is given a distinct personality and emotions that make it feel like a real, relatable character.

All of these films won Academy Awards for their respective categories, including Best Picture for  "The Shape of Water." "Life of Pi" won four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Visual Effects, while "Her" won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

What is an Example of Personification in Film?

Three Examples of Personification in Film

1. Wilson the Volleyball in "Cast Away" (2000) - Wilson, a volleyball that washes up on shore after Chuck (Tom Hanks) survives a plane crash, becomes Chuck's only companion and is given human-like qualities throughout the film, including emotions and a face drawn in blood.
2. The Cars in "Cars" (2006) - In this animated film, cars are given human-like characteristics, such as emotions, relationships, and personalities. They are shown to have their own unique interests and desires, making them relatable and endearing to the audience.
3. The Robot in "Wall-E" (2008) - Wall-E is a robot that has been left to clean up a deserted Earth. Despite having no dialogue, the robot is given human-like emotions and is shown to have a personality, making him relatable and lovable to the audience.

What is an Example of Television?

Examples of Personification in Television

1. In the animated series "Thomas and Friends," the trains are personified with human-like personalities and emotions, such as being happy, sad, or grumpy.
2. In the movie "Beauty and the Beast," the household objects, such as the talking teapot and candelabra, are personified and have their own distinct personalities.
3. In the animated series "Cars," the cars are personified with their own unique personalities and quirks, such as Lightning McQueen being competitive and Mater being goofy.
4. In the show "Sesame Street," many of the puppets, such as Elmo and Cookie Monster, are personified and have their own distinct personalities and characteristics.
5. In the animated series "The Flintstones," the prehistoric animals and appliances, such as the mammoth vacuum cleaner and the pelican mailbox, are personified and given human-like characteristics.

What is Personification?

What is Personification Used For?

Personification is a literary device used to give human qualities, characteristics, or emotions to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or ideas. It is used to create vivid and engaging descriptions that help readers to better understand and relate to the non-human entities being described.

Personification can be used in a variety of ways, including:

1. To make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable. For example, "Death knocked on the door" or "Hope springs eternal."
2. To create a more vivid and engaging image of an object or animal. For example, "The wind whispered through the trees" or "The sun smiled down on us."
3. To make a statement more memorable or impactful. For example, "Time flies" or "The sky wept tears of joy."
4. To emphasize a particular trait or quality of a non-human entity. For example, "The greedy river swallowed everything in its path" or "The courageous lion roared fiercely."

Overall, personification is a powerful tool that can help writers to create more engaging, memorable, and relatable descriptions that can enhance the overall impact of their writing..