Previous
Paradox
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Book 2: Of the Travelling of the Utopians
Explanation and Analysis—Mother Nature and Wealth:
Discussing the Utopians' use of gold and silver in Book Two, Raphael uses a combination of personification and simile:
"Nature has allotted no function to gold or silver that we can't do without; only human folly has rated them as precious because they are rare. Nature, for her part, like an indulgent mother, has placed all wholesome things, like air, water and earth itself, within our reach; those that are vain and unprofitable she hides away in inaccessible places."
Raphael personifies nature, using a simile to liken it to an "indulgent mother." By Raphael's (and More's) logic, nature is indulgent because "she" makes things like silver and gold—which corrupt humankind—difficult to access. This is to humanity's benefit. Nature then further indulges humans by making the things that are good for them—the fundamental, natural things like air and water, which people need to survive—easy to access. This figurative language serves to juxtapose Utopian and European society: the former cares very little for silver, gold, and jewels, except under such circumstances as their use benefits the entire citizenry; the latter is rife with wealthy barons and kings who hoard their riches from the poor. These riches often take the material form of gold, silver, or jewels. Utopians are thus able to eliminate detrimental class differences that plague European society simply by devaluing objects of wealth.
Related Themes:
