Rodriguez 1

Jacquelyn Rodriguez
Cindy Rodgers
English 12
September 2nd, 2015
Animal Farm Responses 2
Personification is a creative figure of speech. Simply explained, personification is when
an inanimate object or a creature takes on qualities of a human being. One can see the word
person within the word personification. Noticing this will help one remember that
personification is basically when an author gives non-human characters human feelings and
characteristics. One common example of personification is when a usually mute thing proceeds
to express opinions, fears, and excitement. When an item or thing is being personified, it gains
emotions and feelings. Along with emotions, personification is also when non-human things are
given human abilities. Examples of this would be the ability to read, write, or speak. In
conclusion, personification is a creative figure of speech that give things and items human
feelings and talents.
Personification was very present in the first chapter of Animal Farm by George Orwell.
In the first chapter, the book starts with a bunch of farm animals discussing and listen to how
humans are evil. This alone is an example of personification because George Orwell gave all the
farm animals opinions and feelings. In the chapter, the animals voted, sang, and spoke. One
example is near the end of the chapter when the book reads, And then, after a few preliminary

Rodriguez 2

tries, the whole farm burst out into Beast of England in tremendous unison (Orwell 13). This is
a good example of personification because a farm full of animals cannot burst into song in real
life. Along with the animals having human characteristics, there were a few points when
inanimate objects were personified. George Orwell wrote, The pellets buried themselves in the
wall of the barn and the meeting broke up hurriedly (Orwell 14). This is a prime example of
personification because pellets are unable to bury themselves into structures. Overall, there was
an abundant amount of personification in the first chapter of Animal Farm by George
Orwell.
Personification needs to be present in Animal Farm by George Orwell to successfully tell
the story. The biggest reason is because the book focuses on how barn yard animals are feeling
mistreated by humans. The farm animals want to revolt and gain control of the world without
humans. In reality, farm animals would never have enough logic to organize a revolution let
alone wish to start a revolt. Because of this, the author must use personification to successfully
show the animals feelings and wants. As one continues to read the book, it becomes evident that
personification is also mandatory because the animals take on other human characteristics. They
vote, speak and even sing. For George Orwell to make the story clear, he needed to include
personification in the novel to show feelings and even actions.

Rodriguez 3

Work Cited
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. New York: New American Library, 1946. 1141. Print.
"Personification Examples." Lifestyle Lounge. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.