Anthropomorphism
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| '''Anthropomorphism''' is the attribution of uniquely [[human]] characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings, inanimate objects, or natural or supernatural phenomena. [[Animal]]s, forces of [[nature]], and unseen or unknown sources of chance are frequent subjects of anthropomorphosis. The term is derived from two [[Greek language|Greek]] words, ἄνθρωπος (''anthrōpos''), meaning ''human'', and μορφή (''morphē''), meaning ''shape'' or ''form''. The suffix '-ism' originates from the [[morpheme]] -ισμός or -ισμα in the Greek language. | '''Anthropomorphism''' is the attribution of uniquely [[human]] characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings, inanimate objects, or natural or supernatural phenomena. [[Animal]]s, forces of [[nature]], and unseen or unknown sources of chance are frequent subjects of anthropomorphosis. The term is derived from two [[Greek language|Greek]] words, ἄνθρωπος (''anthrōpos''), meaning ''human'', and μορφή (''morphē''), meaning ''shape'' or ''form''. The suffix '-ism' originates from the [[morpheme]] -ισμός or -ισμα in the Greek language. | ||
| - | It is a common and seemingly natural tendency for humans to perceive [[inanimate]] objects as having human characteristics, one which some suggest provides a window into the way in which humans perceive themselves. Common examples of this tendency include naming cars or begging machines to work. In 1953, the [[United States|U.S.]] government began assigning [[hurricane]]s names; initially the names were feminine, and shortly thereafter masculine names were introduced.{{GFDL}} | + | It is a common and seemingly natural tendency for humans to perceive [[inanimate]] objects as having human characteristics, one which some suggest provides a window into the way in which humans perceive themselves. Common examples of this tendency include naming cars or begging machines to work. In 1953, the [[United States|U.S.]] government began assigning [[hurricane]]s names; initially the names were feminine, and shortly thereafter masculine names were introduced. |
| + | ==In literature== | ||
| + | '':main [[Personification]]'' | ||
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| + | Anthropomorphism is a well-established device in literature. Aesop's Fables, a collection of short tales written or recorded by the ancient Greek citizen [[Aesop]], make extensive use of anthropomorphism, in which animals and [[weather]] illustrate simple moral lessons. The Indian books ''[[Panchatantra]]'' (The Five priniciples) and ''[[The Jataka tales]]'' employ anthropomorphized animals to illustrate various principles of life. | ||
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| + | Anthropomorphism is commonly employed in books for children, such as those by [[Lewis Carroll]], [[Roald Dahl]], [[Brian Jacques]], [[C.S. Lewis]], and [[Beatrix Potter]]. [[W.V. Awdry|Rev. W. Awdry's]] [[The Railway Series|Railway Series]] depicts steam locomotives with human-like faces and personalities which leads to the popular tv series. | ||
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| + | However, anthropomorphism is not exclusively used as a device in children's literature: [[Terry Pratchett]] is notable for having several anthropomorphic characters in his ''[[Discworld]]'' series, the best-known of which is the character [[Death (Discworld)|Death]]. [[Piers Anthony]] also wrote a series regarding the seven [[Incarnations of Immortality]], which are Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil, and Good. [[Neil Gaiman]] is notable for anthropomorphising seven aspects of the world in his series ''[[The Sandman (DC Comics/Vertigo)|Sandman]]'', named [[The Endless (comics)|the Endless]]: [[Destiny (DC Comics)|Destiny]], [[Death (DC Comics)|Death]], [[Dream (DC Comics)|Dream]], [[Destruction (DC Comics)|Destruction]], [[Desire (DC Comics)|Desire]], [[Despair (DC Comics)|Despair]], and [[Delirium (DC Comics)|Delirium]]. Perhaps most famously, [[George Orwell]] converted several key actors in the [[Russian Revolution]] into anthropomorphic animals in his satire ''[[Animal Farm]]''. Garry Kilworth's [[Welkin Weasels]] series reverses the idea of carnivores as villains in children's literature. In [[Art Spiegelman]]'s ''[[Maus]]'', a graphic novel about [[The Holocaust]], different races are portrayed as different animals - the Jews as mice, Germans as cats and Poles as pigs, for example. | ||
| + | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 11:35, 12 July 2007
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Anthropomorphism is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings, inanimate objects, or natural or supernatural phenomena. Animals, forces of nature, and unseen or unknown sources of chance are frequent subjects of anthropomorphosis. The term is derived from two Greek words, ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), meaning human, and μορφή (morphē), meaning shape or form. The suffix '-ism' originates from the morpheme -ισμός or -ισμα in the Greek language.
It is a common and seemingly natural tendency for humans to perceive inanimate objects as having human characteristics, one which some suggest provides a window into the way in which humans perceive themselves. Common examples of this tendency include naming cars or begging machines to work. In 1953, the U.S. government began assigning hurricanes names; initially the names were feminine, and shortly thereafter masculine names were introduced.
In literature
:main Personification
Anthropomorphism is a well-established device in literature. Aesop's Fables, a collection of short tales written or recorded by the ancient Greek citizen Aesop, make extensive use of anthropomorphism, in which animals and weather illustrate simple moral lessons. The Indian books Panchatantra (The Five priniciples) and The Jataka tales employ anthropomorphized animals to illustrate various principles of life.
Anthropomorphism is commonly employed in books for children, such as those by Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, Brian Jacques, C.S. Lewis, and Beatrix Potter. Rev. W. Awdry's Railway Series depicts steam locomotives with human-like faces and personalities which leads to the popular tv series.
However, anthropomorphism is not exclusively used as a device in children's literature: Terry Pratchett is notable for having several anthropomorphic characters in his Discworld series, the best-known of which is the character Death. Piers Anthony also wrote a series regarding the seven Incarnations of Immortality, which are Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil, and Good. Neil Gaiman is notable for anthropomorphising seven aspects of the world in his series Sandman, named the Endless: Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. Perhaps most famously, George Orwell converted several key actors in the Russian Revolution into anthropomorphic animals in his satire Animal Farm. Garry Kilworth's Welkin Weasels series reverses the idea of carnivores as villains in children's literature. In Art Spiegelman's Maus, a graphic novel about The Holocaust, different races are portrayed as different animals - the Jews as mice, Germans as cats and Poles as pigs, for example.
