Anthropomorphism is a literary device that involves attributing human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or natural phenomena. It is used to create a sense of familiarity or empathy with the audience, and can make non-human entities more relatable and understandable. It can also be used to make a particular point or to convey a certain message, such as the idea that animals have personalities or that objects can have a life of their own.
Examples of anthropomorphism:
“The Three Little Pigs” – In this popular fairy tale, the pigs are given human characteristics such as the ability to build houses and the capacity for fear, making them more relatable and understandable to readers.
“Winnie-the-Pooh” – In this children’s book series, the animals in the Hundred Acre Wood, such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger, are anthropomorphized, with each having their own unique personalities and emotions.
“Animal Farm” – In this political allegory by George Orwell, the animals on a farm take on human-like qualities and characteristics as they struggle for power and control.
“The Velveteen Rabbit” – In this classic children’s book, the stuffed animal rabbit is given human-like emotions and experiences, such as the desire to be loved and the feeling of becoming real.
“Charlotte’s Web” – In this children’s book, the animals on the farm, particularly the spider Charlotte and the pig Wilbur, are given human-like personalities and emotions, making them relatable and endearing to readers.
What is the difference between a metaphor and anthropomorphism?
or anthropomorphism and personification?
anthropomorphisms are literal ‘human-making’ of inhuman subjects. Like talking animals in Disney movies, or giving the moon and sun a human face. Mostly this applies to physical attributes of humanness being applied to not-human things.
personifications are figurative ‘human-making’ as you probably know from school. Like saying your computer hates you, or that the wind is howling. This mainly applies to sentiments concerning the human nature and cognition being applied to not-human things.