The personification I chose to use is a description of a fire that Joe was trying to start so he could melt some water. Joe explains that “it burst into vigorous life, spluttering out two-foot-high flames in petulant revolt against the dirty petrol”. I think this piece is very powerful in the fact that Joe Simpson (the writer) could have just told you he was turning on the stove but instead by giving it these human characteristics it creates a better picture in your mind. The human characteristics of “vigorous life” makes you think about the importance of the fire to melt the snow so they can drink and keep themselves alive. Joe’s use of the words “petulant revolt” to describe how the flames manage to come alive even with dirty petrol. The use of personification here demonstrates even though the conditions weren’t ideal the fire succeeded.
The language “vigorous life” and “petulant revolt” is not only important in this one paragraph, it is actually the main themes of the book which are survival and determination to get through such a terrible experience.
Recent Comments