Term #10 - PERSONIFICATION

definition

to make an animal or an object has thoughts or acts like a real person.

example

The Fountain

Fountain, fountain, what do you say

Singing at night alone?

"It is enough to rise and fall

Here in my basin of stone."

But are you content as you seem to be

So near the freedom and rush of the sea?

"I have listened all night to its laboring sound,

It heaves and sags, as the moon runs round;

Ocean and fountain, shadow and tree,

Nothing escapes, nothing is free."

—Sara Teasdale (American, l884-1933)

the character 'fountain' is personified by the writer, by showing he can talk and has feelings like any other human.

significance

 it's such an easier way to draw connections or convey messenges by personification. because of it's relations between human and the characters allow the readers to get the poem deeply.