Anthropomorphism - Academic Mode

Definition of Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is a literary device that can be defined as a technique whereby a writer ascribes human traits, ambitions, emotions, or entire behaviors to animals, non-human beings, natural phenomena, or objects.

The difference between anthropomorphism and personification
Anthropomorphism is also an arthropomorphism Personification that gives human characteristics to non-humans or objects, especially animals. However, there is a slight difference between the two. Personification is a process of giving human traits to animals or objects to create images, while anthropomorphism aims to make an animal or object behave and look like a human.

Pinocchio, the famous wooden doll, was anthropomorphized when he was was given the ability to speak, walk, think, and feel like a real boy. Fables and fairy tales usually have characters that can serve as an example of anthropomorphism.

Examples of anthropomorphism in literature
Example 1: The Jaguars (by Ted Hughes)
“But whoever runs past them like the others arrives at a cage in which the crowd stands, stares, hypnotizes His eyes

On a short, violent fuse. Not bored –
The eye was content to be blind in the fire: 40a4This step is wilderness of freedom:
The world rolls under the long push of his heel.
Over the bottom of the cage come the horizons. “

This poem is based on a jaguar, a wild animal. Hughes shows his readers the world through the eyes of a jaguar who thinks like a human.

Example 2: Animal farm (by George Orwell)
“Comrades, you have already heard of the strange dream I had last night. But I'll get to the dream later. I have something else to say first. I do not believe comrades that I will be with you for many more months and before I die I feel obliged to pass on to you I had a long life, I had a lot of time to think when I was alone in my stable, and i think i can say i understand the nature of life on this earth as well as every animal living now. That's why I want to speak to you ... Humans are the only creatures that consume without producing. He doesn't give milk, he doesn't lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plow. “

Animal Farm is one of the perfect examples of anthropomorphism. In this excerpt, one of the pigs named Old Major gives a political speech to his companion against the evils of human rulers. Here, the Old Major is instigating them to rebel against a human tyrant. All of this usage is a good example of anthropomorphism.

Example # 3: A Dog's Tale (By Mark Twain)
was a collie, but I'm a Presbyterian. This is what my mother told me, I myself do not know these nice distinctions. For me they are just big, nice words that don't mean anything. My mother was fond of that; she liked to say them, and to see other dogs with surprised and envious faces, wondering how she had received so much education ... When I grew up well, at last, they sold me and took me away, and I never saw her again. from the heart, and so did I, and we cried; but she comforted me as best she could… ”

The protagonist of this story is a dog, who is describing his life as a puppy. The story is told from the perspective of the loyal pet. The dog possesses human traits such as emotions, shame, fear, anguish, happiness and hopelessness.

Function of anthropomorphism
There are several reasons for using anthropomorphism. The main one is to make a broader appeal to readers. With the use of objects or animals, the story can be made visually appealing and non-threatening to readers. serving a wide audience (including children) by presenting animated characters in animated stories and films. In literature, it serves as an effective tool for creating political and social satires. Therefore, it has a wider scope than the mere entertainment of children.