A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things. Personification gives human qualities or characteristics to non-human entities or objects.
For Example: Metaphor: The “diamond” was a star in the night sky. “Personification” : The diamond winked in the sunlight.
I found both literary devices used in literature commonly used in poetry and poems.Normally one thing i realize that these differences are most difficult to understand for kids like ks2 or ks3. But after reading these differences and similarities i hope you understand whatever you are children,writer or adult student etc.
What is Metaphor?
A metaphor is the figure of speech that has directly compared two unlike things instead of indirect. I am taking an example of Tolkien, J.R.R. “The Lord of the Rings.” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004. he said:
Life is a journey.
Just as travelers explore different paths and landscapes, people journey through life, encountering various experiences and challenges along the way.
What is Personification?
Personification is a figurative expression in which human qualities or characteristics are given to lifeless objects.It is a literary device used to create imagination , raise emotions, and better storytelling.
For example a personification: : “The sun smiled down on the beach.”
In this example, the sun, a celestial body, is given the ability to smile, a human expression. This creates a warm and inviting image, recommending the sun’s generous presence. Personification is a widely used literary device, estimated to be present in over 90% of children’s books and 75% of adult fiction.
What are the differences between metaphor vs Personification?
| metaphor | Personification |
| Indirect comparison | Direct attribution of human traits |
| Focus On shared characteristics | Focus On attributing human traits |
| Nature of Comparison is implicit | Nature of Comparison is Explicit |
| Comparison Between two nouns | Comparison Between a non-human entity and human qualities/actions |
What are metaphor vs Personification examples in literature?
Metaphor and personification are most commonly used in literature. Here are 2 examples of both metaphor and personification from literature:
Metaphor: “The sky’s the daily bread of the eyes.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature”)
Personification: “The angry sky spat down on them with freezing rain.” (J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”)
Metaphor: “The night is mother of the day, the winter of the spring.” (John Fletcher, “Upon an Honest Man’s Fortune”)
Personification: “The night, like some great loving mother, gently lays her hand upon our fevered head.” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Light of Stars”)
What are examples of metaphor vs Personification for kids?
Metaphor:
- “The classroom was a zoo.” Here, the classroom is compared to a zoo to suggest that it was chaotic or noisy.
Personification:
- “The sun smiled down on the playground.” This sentence gives the sun the human trait of smiling, making it seem as though the sun is happy or friendly.
What are the similarities between metaphor and Personification?
Metaphor and personification are very similar because both are figures of speech but a little bit different. Here are 4 similarities:
| metaphor | Personification |
| Type of Figurative language | Type of Figurative language |
| Use comparison between two things | Use comparison between two things |
| used to create imagery | used to create imagery |
| Found in Poetry and Literature | Found in Poetry and Literature |
Are metaphors and personification the same thing?
Metaphors and personification are related figures of speech, but they are not the same thing.
Is personification a type of metaphor ?
Yes, personification can be considered a type of metaphor.
In both personification and metaphor, there is a figurative comparison between two things. However, in personification, the non-human object is given human characteristics. personification is a specific type of metaphor, not all metaphors involve personification
How Metaphors and Personification Is Differenet From Imagery?
Metaphors compare two unrelated things directly (e.g., “Time is a thief”).
Imagery uses descriptive language to create sensory experiences (e.g., “The golden sunset bathed the beach in a warm glow”).
Personification gives human traits to non-human objects (e.g., “The wind whispered through the trees”).
For more on the differences between metaphors and imagery, see Metaphors vs. Imagery.