Anthropomorphism is the literary device where non-human entities are given human traits, behaviors, and emotions, making them more relatable and emotionally engaging. Types of anthropomorphism include literal, behavioral, and metaphorical anthropomorphism. Writers use this technique to connect with audiences, simplify complex themes, and enhance the relatability of animals, objects, or abstract concepts.
Effective techniques for using anthropomorphism involve consistency, focusing on human emotions, and balancing human-like qualities with non-human traits. if you understand the difference between anthropomorphism and personification helps clarify how human qualities are assigned to different subjects, while identifying anthropomorphism involves looking for human behaviors in non-human entities.
What is the Literary Definition of Anthropomorphism?
Anthropomorphism is a literary device where human characteristics, emotions, and behaviors are attributed to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts. This technique allows writers to create a more relatable and vivid connection between the audience and non-human subjects by making them seem human-like.
Example:
In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the animals are given human characteristics like the ability to speak and form political ideas, which makes their actions and conflicts more relatable to the readers.
How Do You Describe Anthropomorphism in Simple Terms?
In simple terms, anthropomorphism means giving human qualities or behaviors to things that are not human. It could be an animal, an object, or even an idea that is described or acted in a way that humans would.
Example:
A talking dog in a movie is an example of anthropomorphism. The dog is not human, but it is given the ability to speak, think, and act like a person.
What Are the 5 Examples of Anthropomorphism?
- Animal Characters in Literature:
Example: In Winnie the Pooh, the animals not only talk but also exhibit human-like emotions and relationships, making them relatable to readers. - Talking Animals in Movies:
Example: In Zootopia, animals are given human-like qualities such as driving cars, running businesses, and forming social hierarchies. - Personification of Objects in Storytelling:
Example: In Beauty and the Beast, the furniture and household objects like clocks and teapots have human-like qualities, speaking and interacting as if they were people. - Mythological Deities:
Example: Greek gods like Zeus, who exhibit human emotions such as jealousy, anger, and love, despite being divine and powerful entities. - Animated Films and TV Shows:
Example: In Cars, the cars themselves are given human personalities, with their own desires, dreams, and conflicts.
What Are the Synonyms & Antonyms of Anthropomorphism?
Here are the 5, 5 synonyms and the antonyms of Anthropomorphism:
| Synonyms | Antonyms |
|---|---|
| Personification | Objectification |
| Humanization | Reification |
| Embodiment | Animalization |
| Deification | Depersonalization |
| Animation | Impersonality |
Where Does the “Anthropomorphism” Come From?
The term “anthropomorphism” comes from the Greek words anthropos (meaning “human”) and morphe (meaning “form” or “shape”). It originated in ancient philosophy and mythology, where gods or animals were often depicted with human traits. Over time, the term evolved to describe any literary or artistic representation where non-human entities are given human qualities.
What Are the Types of Anthropomorphism?
There are various types of anthropomorphism used in literature and other forms of media, each serving different purposes and creating different impacts on the audience:
- Literal Anthropomorphism:
This is when non-human entities, like animals or objects, are given human-like physical traits or abilities.
Example: In Winnie the Pooh, the bear is not just talking but also walking on two feet, wearing clothes, and performing other human-like activities. - Behavioral Anthropomorphism:
Here, non-human entities display human-like behavior, emotions, or thoughts, even if they do not look human.
Example: In Zootopia, the animals display human behaviors such as driving cars, holding jobs, and forming social relationships. - Metaphorical Anthropomorphism:
This type attributes human traits to inanimate objects or abstract concepts, often to convey complex ideas or emotions.
Example: In Beauty and the Beast, objects like teapots and clocks are given the ability to talk and think, which adds emotional depth to the story.
Why Do Writers Use Anthropomorphism?
Writers use anthropomorphism to create emotional connections with their audience, make abstract concepts more relatable, and provide depth to non-human characters or elements. By giving animals, objects, or ideas human traits, writers can communicate complex emotions or themes in an engaging way. It also allows for storytelling that resonates across different age groups and cultural backgrounds. Anthropomorphism can simplify abstract ideas by making them tangible and easier for readers or viewers to understand.
What Are the Best Techniques to Use Anthropomorphism in Writing?
- Ensure Consistency in Behavior and Traits:
When assigning human traits to non-human entities, maintain consistency in how those traits are exhibited throughout the narrative. This prevents confusion and makes the character or object more relatable. - Focus on Relatable Human Emotions:
Choose emotions or behaviors that are universal and easily understood. Love, fear, courage, and joy are examples of emotions that resonate with audiences regardless of age or background. - Balance Human Qualities with Non-Human Characteristics:
While giving non-human characters human traits, it’s important to keep some of their original characteristics intact. This helps maintain the authenticity of the character while also making it more human-like. - Use Anthropomorphism to Enhance Themes:
Writers can use anthropomorphism to emphasize particular themes, like friendship, justice, or love, by demonstrating these qualities through non-human characters or settings. - Play with Humor or Irony:
Sometimes anthropomorphism is used for comedic effect. Allowing animals or objects to engage in human-like behaviors in unexpected contexts can add humor to a narrative.
What Is the Difference Between Anthropomorphism and Personification?
While anthropomorphism and personification both attribute human traits to non-human entities, the key difference lies in their scope and purpose:
| Anthropomorphism | Personification |
|---|---|
| Involves giving human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities like animals, objects, or concepts. | Primarily focuses on giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. |
| Can apply to animals, objects, or abstract ideas, making them act and feel like humans. | Usually refers to abstract ideas or inanimate objects being treated like humans. |
| Examples include talking animals in literature or animals taking on human roles, such as in Zootopia. | Examples include the wind “whispering” or time “flying” in poems. |
How to Identify Anthropomorphism?
To identify anthropomorphism in a piece of writing, look for non-human entities that exhibit distinctly human characteristics, behaviors, or emotions. This can include:
- Talking or Thinking:
When animals or inanimate objects communicate verbally or show signs of reasoning like humans. - Human-Like Actions or Roles:
When animals or objects take on human roles or perform tasks that only humans would typically do, like driving a car, running a business, or expressing personal desires. - Human Emotions or Relationships:
When non-human entities show emotions such as love, jealousy, or fear, which are typically associated with human experiences.