What is the difference between anthropomorphism and pathetic fallacy?

While anthropomorphism involves giving human traits and characteristics to non-human entities, pathetic fallacy is a more subtle approach by which the natural environment reflects the emotions of characters in the story. Both techniques can help create an immersive atmosphere for readers, allowing them to better connect with the narrative as it unfolds.

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, traits, behaviors, or emotions to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or natural phenomena. This can include giving names, personalities, or even human-like qualities to these entities.

Anthropomorphism is a common human tendency, and it can be seen in various aspects of culture, including art, literature, religion, and mythology. It is often used to make non-human entities more relatable or to facilitate understanding and communication.

While anthropomorphism can be a useful tool for human communication and expression, it can also be a source of misunderstanding or confusion, particularly when applied to animals or other non-human entities in scientific or technical contexts. As such, anthropomorphism should be used with care and awareness of its potential limitations.

Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which human emotions and qualities are attributed to inanimate objects or natural phenomena, often in a way that reflects or emphasizes the mood or emotions of the speaker or characters in a literary work. It involves the projection of human feelings onto the natural world or inanimate objects, such as attributing emotions to the weather or landscape.

For example, a writer might describe a dark, stormy sky as “angry” or “hostile” to reflect the tension or conflict in a story, or they might describe a peaceful, sunny day as “happy” or “contented” to reflect the mood of the characters.

Pathetic fallacy can be used to evoke emotions in the reader or to create a sense of atmosphere or mood in a literary work. However, it is important to note that it is a literary device and should not be taken literally as a reflection of reality.

Anthropomorphism Vs. Pathetic Fallacy – Key differences

Anthropomorphism and pathetic fallacy are both literary devices that involve attributing human qualities or emotions to non-human entities, but they differ in their application and purpose.

Anthropomorphism involves the attribution of human characteristics or behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals or objects. It is often used to make non-human entities more relatable or to facilitate communication and understanding.

Pathetic fallacy, on the other hand, involves the attribution of human emotions or qualities to the natural world or inanimate objects, often in a way that reflects or emphasizes the mood or emotions of the speaker or characters in a literary work. It is used to create a sense of atmosphere or mood in a literary work and evoke emotions in the reader.

In summary, anthropomorphism is the attribution of human-like traits to non-human entities, while pathetic fallacy is the attribution of human emotions to natural phenomena or inanimate objects.

When to Use Each Literary Device

Anthropomorphism and pathetic fallacy are both literary devices that can be used in different contexts and for different purposes.

Anthropomorphism can be used to make non-human entities more relatable to readers or to facilitate communication and understanding. It is often used in children’s literature, fables, and fairy tales to give animals or objects human-like qualities and personalities. It can also be used in advertising or branding to make products more appealing or relatable to consumers.

Pathetic fallacy, on the other hand, is used to create a sense of atmosphere or mood in a literary work and to evoke emotions in the reader. It is often used in poetry, prose, and fiction to reflect the mood or emotions of the characters, and to create a sense of tension or conflict. It can also be used in descriptive writing to create a vivid sense of place or setting.

In general, both anthropomorphism and pathetic fallacy should be used with care and awareness of their potential limitations. They can be effective literary devices when used appropriately, but overuse or misuse can detract from the impact of a work and make it seem artificial or contrived.

Examples of Anthropomorphism

Here are some examples of anthropomorphism in literature and popular culture:

1. The animals in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” take on human-like traits and personalities, with the pigs becoming the ruling class and the other animals serving as their subjects.
2. In the children’s book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter, the rabbits and other animals have human-like personalities and behaviors, such as wearing clothing and speaking in English.
3. Disney’s animated movie “The Lion King” features animals with human-like qualities, such as Simba, the lion cub, who experiences feelings of guilt and responsibility after the death of his father.
4. In Aesop’s fables, animals often behave and speak like humans, with moral lessons embedded in the stories.
5. In the video game franchise “Sonic the Hedgehog,” the characters are anthropomorphic animals with human-like personalities and abilities, such as Sonic the Hedgehog’s superhuman speed.

These examples show how anthropomorphism can be used to create relatable and engaging characters and to convey complex ideas in a way that is accessible to a wide audience.

Examples of Pathetic Fallacy

Here are some examples of pathetic fallacy in literature and popular culture:

1. In Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth,” the weather reflects the dark and ominous mood of the characters, with thunder and lightning occurring during pivotal scenes.
2. In Emily Bronte’s novel “Wuthering Heights,” the harsh and wild landscape of the moors reflects the passionate and turbulent emotions of the characters.
3. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Minister’s Black Veil,” the darkness and gloom of the setting mirrors the somber tone of the story.
4. In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven,” the dark and stormy night adds to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the poem.
5. In the movie “The Shining,” the snow and isolation of the setting create a sense of claustrophobia and madness that reflects the characters’ psychological states.

These examples show how pathetic fallacy can be used to create a sense of mood, atmosphere, and tension in literature and popular culture. By attributing human emotions and qualities to the natural world, writers and artists can create a sense of connection and meaning between the characters and their environment.

What is personification?

Personification is a literary device that attributes human qualities, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts. In other words, it involves giving human-like characteristics to something that is not human.

Personification can be used to make the description of an object or idea more vivid, relatable, and engaging. By giving a non-human entity human-like traits and behaviors, it can help the reader or listener connect with the idea or object on a deeper level.

Examples of personification in literature include:

• “The wind whispered through the trees.”
• “The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.”
• “The sun smiled down upon the earth.”
• “The storm raged with fury.”

These examples show how personification can be used to create a vivid and imaginative portrayal of the natural world, and how it can help to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is easy to understand and relate to.

What is an example of a pathetic fallacy in a movie?

(Photo by Ludvig Hedenborg: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-coconut-tree-under-clouds-with-lightning-3432594/)

An example of a pathetic fallacy in a movie is the rainstorm that occurs during the climax of the 1994 movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” The rainstorm reflects the intense emotional state of the characters during this pivotal scene. The storm serves as a powerful symbol of the characters’ inner turmoil, with lightning and thunder emphasizing the tension and conflict. The rain also has a cleansing and purifying effect, washing away the past and paving the way for a new beginning. The pathetic fallacy in this movie creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that enhances the emotional impact of the scene.

What is an example of Anthropomorphism in a movie?

(Image by Juraj Varga from Pixabay )

An example of anthropomorphism in a movie is the character of Woody in the Pixar movie “Toy Story.” Woody is a toy cowboy, but he is portrayed with human-like emotions, personality traits, and behaviors. He experiences jealousy, fear, and love, and he is shown as having a strong sense of loyalty and duty to his owner, Andy. By giving Woody these human-like characteristics, the audience is able to relate to him and empathize with his struggles and emotions, even though he is not a human being. This use of anthropomorphism helps to create a more engaging and memorable character that audiences of all ages can connect with.

Featured Image By – Mohamed Osman from Pixabay