Personification (인격화 ) and anthropomorphism (의인화) are often confused because both terms have similar meanings. Anthropomorphism refers to something nonhuman behaving as human, while personification gives particular human traits to nonhuman or abstract things, or represents a quality or concept in human form. Understanding when to use personification vs. anthropomorphism will help you improve your use of figurative language
Anthropomorphism은 비인간적인 어떤 것이 인간처럼 행동하는 것을 지칭하는 반면, Personification은 비인간적인 또는 추상적인 것에 특별한 인간의 특성을 부여하거나, 인간적 형태의 개념이나 특성을 나타내도록하는 것.
1. About Personification
In classical rhetoric, personification is referred to as prosopopoeia. When a writer uses personification, he or she is applying human traits to objects. For example, people who are frustrated with technology often claim that their computer hates them, even though it's obvious a computer has no real emotions.
인간적 특성을 사물에 적용. 예) 테크노로지에 좌절을 느끼는 사람 왈, (컴퓨터가 실제 감정을 느낄리 없지만,) 그들의 컴퓨터가 자기를 싫어한다고 주장.
Personification is also sometimes used to represent an abstract concept in human form. For example, law enforcement officers and lawyers often say, "Justice is blind." Justice is a concept and obviously does not have eyes, but this phrase expresses the idea that all people are entitled to equal treatment under the law, regardless of characteristics such as skin color, gender, or financial status.
Other examples of personification you might hear in everyday language include:
I love the sound of raindrops dancing on the roof.
I'm on a diet, but that candy bar is calling my name.
After a hard day at work, the couch is looking at me invitingly.
The sun is smiling at me today.
The angry clouds hint at the upcoming rainstorm.
I wasn't looking for a new job, but opportunity knocked at my door.
This novel speaks to me.
Personification is often found in popular music. Examples of personification in songs include:
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.
"Good Riddance," Green Day
The highway won't hold you tonight
The highway don't know you're alive
The highway don't care if you're all alone
But I do, I do.
"Highway Don't Care," Tim McGraw/Taylor Swift
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right.
"Here Comes the Sun," The Beatles,
2. About Anthropomorphism
When a writer uses anthropomorphism, he or she is applying human behaviors to animals, objects, or nonhuman entities. The thing is acting human rather than doing something like a human.
의인화 anthropomorphism은 인간의 행동들을 동물, 식물, 물건에게 적용한 것. 사물이 인간처럼 뭔가를 하는 것이 아니라, 행동하는 인간인양. 예) Animal Farm 소설에서 동물들이 인간인양 행동. 반대말은 dehumanization.
Anthropomorphism is often used in children's stories to teach concepts or make abstract ideas easier to understand. For example, a picture book about animals might draw an ant with visibly large muscles who is lifting weights at the gym to reinforce the idea that ants have tremendous strength relative to their body size. The characters in Thomas The Tank Engine, Clifford: The Big Red Dog, and Martha Speaks are all examples of anthropomorphism.
In literature or film, anthropomorphism can be used as a tool to explore controversial issues. For example, Animal Farm by George Orwell is a critique of the corruption of socialist ideals in the Soviet Union. Orwell was a socialist, but he believed the totalitarian regime in Stalinist Russia had betrayed the key principles of socialism. He conveyed this message through a story about farm animals rebelling against the oppression of their human caretakers.
Anthropomorphism is considered an innate tendency of human psychology. When we assign human characteristics to nonhuman entities, we are deciding what is worthy of our time and care. For example, describing pets as loving when they cuddle us after a bad day allows us to view them as members of the family. However, this tendency is not always helpful. Viewing pets as equal members of the family can be problematic if it means you fail to take precautions to protect others, such as infants or disabled adults, from an animal with the ability to cause physical harm.
The opposite of anthropomorphism is dehumanization, which means describing human beings in non-human terms. Examples of dehumanization can be seen in Nazi propaganda. By portraying Jewish people as animals or savages, it became easier for citizens to look the other way during the horrors of the Holocaust.
What are the Key Differences?
When discussing the differences between personification and anthropomorphism, it may be helpful to remember the following:
Personification gives a figurative meaning, while anthropomorphism gives a more literal meaning.
Personification creates visual imagery, while anthropomorphism allows animals or objects to act like human beings.
The most common synonym for personification is "representation," while the most common synonym for anthropomorphism is "humanization."
[참고: Figurative Language]
Understanding the Concept of Figurative Language
Any time your writing goes beyond the actual meanings of your words, you're using figurative language. This allows the reader to gain new insights into your work. In this article, we'll highlight examples of the five main branches of the figurative tree, but in truth, this is only scratching the surface. There are many other literary devices that color our writing, including: alliteration, idioms, irony, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, puns, and synecdoche.
One of the best ways to understand the concept of figurative language is to see it in action. Here are some examples:
This coffee shop is an ice box! (metaphor)
She's drowning in a sea of grief. (metaphor)
She's happy as a clam. (simile)
I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti. (simile)
The sea lashed out in anger at the ships, unwilling to tolerate another battle. (personification)
The sky misses the sun at night. (personification)
I've told you a million times to clean your room! (hyperbole)
Her head was spinning from all the new information. (hyperbole)
She was living her life in chains. (symbolism)
When she saw the dove soar high above her home, she knew the worst was over. (symbolism)
Now, let's have some more fun with the figurative language you're most likely to come across in your daily readings.