Which of the following is NOT an example of personification?

Which of the following is NOT an example of personification?

• A. The clouds cried tears of rain
• B. The book hugged me with its stories
• C. The tree stood tall and proud
• D. The car roared down the street

Answer: (C)

Personification is a literary device in which human traits, emotions, or intentions are attributed to non-human entities or objects. In the examples provided, choices A, B, and D all clearly illustrate personification by assigning human feelings or actions to inanimate objects or natural elements. Choice A depicts clouds as if they have the ability to cry, which is a human action that evokes emotion. Choice B invites the idea that a book can engage a reader on an emotional level as if it were capable of giving a hug, an action associated with warmth and comfort attributed to human behavior. Choice D suggests that a car can make a roaring sound, akin to an animal, thereby suggesting it has a voice and presence like a living creature. On the other hand, choice C states, "The tree stood tall and proud." While it describes the tree as "tall and proud," these characteristics do not assign it human actions or emotions; they merely describe its physical stature and suggest a sense of dignity, which is an observation rather than an attribution of human behavior. Thus, this choice is the one that does not exemplify personification.

Personification is a literary device in which human traits, emotions, or intentions are attributed to non-human entities or objects. In the examples provided, choices A, B, and D all clearly illustrate personification by assigning human feelings or actions to inanimate objects or natural elements.

Choice A depicts clouds as if they have the ability to cry, which is a human action that evokes emotion. Choice B invites the idea that a book can engage a reader on an emotional level as if it were capable of giving a hug, an action associated with warmth and comfort attributed to human behavior. Choice D suggests that a car can make a roaring sound, akin to an animal, thereby suggesting it has a voice and presence like a living creature.

On the other hand, choice C states, "The tree stood tall and proud." While it describes the tree as "tall and proud," these characteristics do not assign it human actions or emotions; they merely describe its physical stature and suggest a sense of dignity, which is an observation rather than an attribution of human behavior. Thus, this choice is the one that does not exemplify personification.