Give Two Examples Of Personification From The Story The Necklace
The Necklace is a short story written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884. The story revolves around a young woman named Mathilde Loisel, who is unhappy with her life and constantly dreams of a lavish lifestyle. The story is known for its vivid descriptions and use of literary devices, including personification.
What is Personification?
Personification is a literary device that gives human characteristics to non-human objects or animals. It is a way to add depth and meaning to a story by making the inanimate objects or animals more relatable to the reader.
Example 1: The Necklace
In The Necklace, personification is used to describe the necklace that Mathilde borrows from her friend Madame Forestier. The necklace is described as having a life of its own, as if it is a living, breathing thing. This is evident in the following passage:
"She played with the necklace, with her fingers slipping over the pearls, and she looked at herself in it...she was thinking of how to get money to buy a better dress, one that would hide the poverty of her home and make her look richer. Suddenly she discovered, in a black satin box, a superb diamond necklace, and her heart throbbed with desire for it. Her hands trembled as she lifted it. She fastened it around her neck, over her high-necked dress, and stood contemplating herself in rapture before this vision of herself that had suddenly emerged from the depths of her being."
Here, the necklace is described as having the power to make Mathilde feel rich and beautiful, as if it has a life of its own. The use of personification in this passage creates a sense of mystery and intrigue around the necklace, making it seem like more than just a piece of jewelry.
Example 2: The Dressing Room
Another example of personification in The Necklace can be found in the dressing room scene, where Mathilde is preparing for the ball. In this scene, the dressing room is described as having a personality of its own, as if it is a character in the story:
"She went from mirror to mirror, admiring herself from every angle. She turned around slowly, looking at herself from behind, then from the side. She lifted her arms to see how her dress moved. And in the mirror, she saw the dressing room, with its faded curtains and old furniture, as if it were a living thing that had seen better days."
Here, the dressing room is personified as an old, tired thing that has seen better days. This creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, as if the dressing room is a character in the story that has fallen on hard times.
Conclusion
Personification is a powerful literary device that can add depth and meaning to a story. In The Necklace, personification is used to create a sense of mystery and intrigue around the necklace, and to create a sense of melancholy around the dressing room. These two examples of personification demonstrate the power of this literary device, and show how it can be used to bring inanimate objects and animals to life.