In the previous post on personification, we learned that attributing human characteristics to inanimate and abstract things is called personification. But what about attributing human personality to animals in fictional work?

You might have seen animals acting like humans in popular movies like Zootopia, Sing, etc., or books like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, etc. These are anthropomorphic animals, and anthropomorphism is the literary device that writers use in fictional works.

Definition

If we break down the word “anthropomorphism” into two parts, it would be “Anthropo” and “morphism”. “Anthropo” means human, and “morphism” means having a form or shape.

So, anthropomorphism is the literary technique of attributing human characteristics, behaviors, and emotions to non-human entities, such as animals, gods, and objects. It involves portraying these entities as if they possess human-like emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Anthropomorphism: Poetically Defined

In tales where non-human entities converse,
Anthropomorphism weaves its magical universe.
With human traits, thoughts, and feelings, they come alive,
Animals, gods, and things, in stories they thrive.

Examples

Examples of Anthropomorphism in a Sentence

Here are some usage examples of anthropomorphism in a sentence.

Video Game

Sonic the Hedgehog is an anthropomorphic character.

He is a blue hedgehog with human-like qualities such as confidence, humor, and friendliness. A notable trait is his incredible speed, and his main objective is to thwart the evil plans of Dr. Eggman, a recurring antagonist in the series.

Cartoon

Mickey Mouse and Oggy from “Oggy and the Cockroaches” are both anthropomorphic cartoon characters.

Mickey Mouse is an anthropomorphic mouse who wears white gloves, pants, and shoes. His appearance and expression of emotions, such as happiness and surprise, resemble those of a human.

Oggy is a blue anthropomorphic cat who lives in a house. He loves to watch television and eat. Like Mickey Mouse, Oggy exhibits a wide range of emotions such as sadness, joy, surprise, etc.

Comic

The four turtles in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” are anthropomorphic turtles who live in a modern urban setting.

They are skilled ninjas and fight with criminals and interact with other anthropomorphic animal characters like human.

Internet

YouTube channels like Dusty Douglas create videos where the animals are voiced and anthropomorphized.

Memes and viral videos often apply human-style narratives and emotions to cute animal footage.

Advertising

The anthropomorphic pink rabbit on Duracell batteries is a common example of using anthropomorphic mascots or characters in advertising.

It makes products more relatable to human emotions and experiences. The rabbit has been used in Duracell’s advertising campaigns to convey the idea that their batteries keep going and going, just like the energetic nature of the bunny.

Examples of Anthropomorphism in Literature

Anthropomorphism, as a literary technique, has frequent application in literature and popular media, where animals surpass their natural capabilities. Here are some examples:

The Panchatantra

The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables and moral stories.

In the tale “The Two Friends”, a deer and a crow develop an unlikely friendship. The crow’s compassionate warning to the deer about a hunter’s trap demonstrates loyalty and care. The bond between these animals showcases qualities such as trust and friendship, which resonate with human experiences.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

The animals and creatures that Alice encounters in Wonderland behave, speak, and think much like humans. For example, the White Rabbit walks upright, wears a waistcoat with a pocket watch, and anxious of being late. This anthropomorphic approach allows Lewis Carroll to explore some ideas.

One of the main ideas that Carroll discusses through anthropomorphism is the blurred boundary between humans and animals. This seems to have been inspired by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The theory of evolution debunked previous notion of a rigid hierarchy where humans were at the top of creation. This blurred the lines between animals and humans. By giving animals human-like qualities, Carroll challenges the traditional hierarchy where humans are considered superior to animals.

In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), the boundaries between human and animal behaviors are blurred with the help of anthropomorphism. The Wonderland creatures treat Alice as more of an equal, sometimes being quite rude and contemptuous towards her. By inverting the traditional human-animal roles, Carroll questions notions of human superiority over animals.

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book (1894) by Rudyard Kipling contains both zoomorphism and anthropomorphism. It is a collection of stories about a young boy named Mowgli, who is raised by wolves in the jungle. The animals in the stories are endowed with human traits, such as speech, emotions, and social structures. They also possess their own laws and customs, which resemble those of human societies.

The varying degrees of anthropomorphism in different animals allow Kipling to explore ideas about social hierarchy. Mowgli’s mentors, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, are representative of this high degree of anthropomorphism. They are wise and experienced animals who teach Mowgli the ways of the jungle.

Animals that closely adhere to the norms are seen as superior, while cattle and bees are devoid of human attributes. The Bandar-Log monkeys represent a lower degree of anthropomorphism. They can communicate but lack rules and a structured society.

Kipling’s use of anthropomorphism in The Jungle Book is effective because it makes the stories more relatable to human readers. Moreover, it helps to create a sense of wonder and adventure in the stories.

Maus

Maus (1991) by Art Spiegelman is a graphic novel that narrates the Holocaust’s story through the use of anthropomorphic animals.

The application of anthropomorphism serves to explore complex themes in a unique way. For example, Jews are depicted as mice, and Germans as cats. The mice are victims and the cats are aggressors. This contrast helps to highlight the brutality of the Holocaust and the powerlessness of the victims.

The technique of depicting the characters as animals helps Spiegelman to avoid the explicit violence and gore that would be difficult to read about if the characters were human. This makes the story more accessible to children and adults who might not otherwise be interested in reading about the Holocaust.

Life of Pi

One prominent example of anthropomorphism in Life of Pi (2001) by Yann Martel is Pi’s relationship with Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger with whom he shares a lifeboat after the shipwreck. Throughout their journey, Pi ascribes human-like qualities to Richard Parker.

He imagines the tiger as having intentions, desires, and a distinct personality. This is evident in the way Pi talks to the tiger, tries to communicate with it, and even forms a peculiar companionship with it. This anthropomorphic portrayal of the tiger goes beyond its animal nature, allowing readers to engage emotionally with their evolving dynamic.

Anthropomorphism might serve as a psychological coping mechanism for Pi to handle the traumatic and life-threatening situation he is in.

After the shipwreck, Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean with no human company. This extreme isolation and lack of interaction with fellow humans lead him to seek companionship and connection in any form available to him.

Projecting human-like qualities onto the tiger allows Pi to establish a form of companionship and interaction, even if it is imagined. He attempts to bring a sense of familiarity and normalcy to an otherwise terrifying and chaotic environment.

This psychological strategy helps him to maintain a sense of control and comfort amid uncertainty.

These are a few examples of anthropomorphism found in literature.

Anthropomorphism in Poetry

Parliament of Fowls

The poem “Parliament of Fowls” or “Parliament of Birds”, written around 1380–90 by Geoffrey Chaucer, is an early example of anthropomorphism in English poetry.

The birds gather in an assembly to choose their mates. The birds’ ability to engage in arguments and express their opinions about whom the female eagle should select as her mate contributes to the presence of anthropomorphism.

However, the untranslated birdspeak, “Kek, kek!” “Cuckoo!” “Quack, quack!” (Chaucer), implies that despite possessing an innate capacity for language, they still retain their essential animal nature.

The female eagle’s request for additional time to make a decision regarding a mate indeed mirrors a human-like decision-making process. The female eagle takes full responsibility for her future choice, and does not allow others to decide for her.

Chaucer employs anthropomorphism to blur the boundary between animals and humans, allowing him to address subjects such as governance, courtly love, gender, and the hierarchical structure of medieval society. The poem intertwines these themes, creating a cohesive and thought-provoking narrative.

The Canterbury Tales

Characters such as Chanticleer and Reynard the Fox in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”, the falcon in “The Squire’s Tale”, and the crow in “The Manciple’s Tale” are anthropomorphic animals.

In “The Squire’s Tale”, Canacee receives a ring that enables her to communicate with birds. The falcon is heartbroken and laments about being abandoned by her lover, the tercelet, for a kite. The falcon articulates her emotions in a manner akin to human communication. As a result, it adds fascination to the story.

Bright Star

The poem “Bright Star” by John Keats utilizes anthropomorphism to portray the star as possessing distinctly human-like attributes. Keats gives the star the qualities of being patient, unwavering, and constant.

These anthropomorphic traits make the star seem sage, devoted and almost godlike in how it lasts forever in how it lasts forever.

By attributing these human qualities to the star, Keats adeptly employs it as a symbol of romantic love that persists and remains unwavering. It serves as a representation of his yearning for an unconditional and eternal connection with his beloved.

These are a few examples of anthropomorphism found in English poetry.

O Captain! My Captain!

The speaker in “O Captain! My Captain!” describes the ship with human-like qualities, such as being “grim and daring”. Giving human characteristics to non-human things like the ship represents it as a symbol of determination and courage.

The Frog and the Nightingale

Vikram Seth effectively employs anthropomorphism in the poem “The Frog and the Nightingale” to craft a thought-provoking fable that addresses social concerns.

The frog is a manipulative and greedy music manager and critic, while the nightingale is a naïve and aspiring artist yearning for fame. Their relationship underscores how commercialization can corrupt art and artists.

By assigning human-like behaviors to animals, the poet satirizes human tendencies such as greed, manipulation, and the exploitation of others for personal benefit. The frog’s conduct, especially his eagerness to capitalize on the nightingale’s talent, mirrors human behavior in the quest for success and wealth.

The anthropomorphic depictions make the animals remarkably relatable while also emphasizing the absurdity and tragedy of the situation.

What the Rattlesnake Said

“What the Rattlesnake Said” by Vachel Lindsay serves as another instance of anthropomorphism.

The rattlesnake is the narrator and speaks in the first person about its dominance over other entities. Much like humans, the snake displays a demeanor of self-assurance, menace, and boasts of its capabilities.

The moon shivers and cries in fear of the rattlesnake. Similarly, the sun too is afraid of the rattlesnake’s potential bite and sting. These descriptions transform distant cosmic entities, moon and sun, into fearful and vulnerable living beings.

Lindsay delves into themes of pride, ego, and fear through the lens of anthropomorphism. The utilization of this literary device enhances the exploration of these concepts within the narrative.

Examples of Anthropomorphism in Movies

Sing

In Sing, Rosita is a pig mother who wants to pursue her singing dreams but also balances her family responsibilities. Johnny, on the other hand, is a teenage gorilla who dreams of being a renowned performer, contrary to his father, Big Daddy’s wish. He wants Johnny to follow in his criminal footsteps.

Consequently, Johnny grapples with summoning the courage to defy his father’s desire and embrace his personal dreams. Mike, a self-assured mouse, aspires to attain stardom, while Ash, a teenage porcupine songwriter, who is insecure about sharing her artistic talent.

The anthropomorphic characters in the Sing collectively encompass a spectrum of human attributes and challenges within their animal identities.

Zootopia

Zootopia is a 2016 Disney animated film which takes place in a world of anthropomorphic animals, where predators and prey live together harmoniously in a modern civilized city called Zootopia.

The protagonist, Judy Hopps, a bunny police officer, partners up with a con artist fox, Nick, to solve the case of missing predators in the city. The movie employs anthropomorphic animals as a allegorical tool to address intricate themes of bias, stereotyping, and societal division.

Other popular examples of anthropomorphism include Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King. These movies creatively blur the line between human and animal traits, giving audiences insightful stories that deeply connect.

Video

Differences

Anthropomorphism vs Personification

Here are the key distinctions between anthropomorphism and personification:

The distinctions between anthropomorphism and personification can sometimes overlap, and the classification of a specific work can depend on the extent to which non-human entities are given human-like qualities and consciousness. However, we have tried to draw the distinctions between them for our convenience.

Anthropomorphism vs Anthropocentrism

Anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism are two distinct concepts that relate to the way humans perceive and interact with the natural world. Here are the differences between the two, along with examples for each:

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, traits, emotions, and behaviors to non-human entities like animals, gods, objects, etc.

Disney Characters: Characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are anthropomorphized animals. They exhibit emotions, wear clothes, and engage in activities typical of humans, making them relatable and endearing to audiences.

Anthropocentrism is the belief that humans are the central or most important entities in the universe, and that other beings and the environment are valued primarily in relation to their usefulness or benefit to humans. It often leads to a view where human interests and well-being take precedence over those of other species and ecosystems.

The practice of using animals for scientific experiments without sufficient regard for their well-being is an example of anthropocentrism, as it values human progress over the suffering of non-human beings.

Examples of anthropocentrism:

In this children’s book “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss, the Once-ler’s relentless pursuit of profit leads to the destruction of the Truffula trees and the environment. The book highlights the consequences of anthropocentrism and emphasizes the importance of environmental conservation.

The movie Avatar depicts a conflict between humans seeking to exploit the resources of the alien planet Pandora and the indigenous Na’vi population. The human-centric perspective of resource extraction drives the conflict, showcasing the negative impacts of prioritizing human interests over the environment and other species.

The main differences between anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism are:

Purpose of Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism serves various purposes in literature, art, and storytelling. Here are some purposes of anthropomorphism, along with examples:

1. Emotional Connection: Anthropomorphism helps create a strong emotional connection between the audience and the characters or entities in the story. When animals or objects display human-like emotions, readers or viewers can better understand and empathize with their experiences.

For example, in “Winnie the Pooh,” Winnie-the-Pooh is a lovable and clumsy bear, Piglet is a timid and anxious piglet, and Tigger is a bouncy and carefree tiger. The characters’ human-like emotions and friendships resonate with readers, creating a deeper emotional bond.

2. Storytelling: Anthropomorphism adds an element of entertainment and engagement by making stories more imaginative and creative. It allows for unexpected interactions and scenarios.

Giving human motivations and emotions to non-human characters allows for more compelling storytelling. For example, animated films like Finding Nemo.

3. Moral and Ethical Lessons: Many stories that employ anthropomorphism use the characters to convey moral lessons, often by showing the consequences of certain behaviors or attitudes.

In the story The Lion and the Hare from The Panchatantra, a clever hare outwits a lion by convincing the lion to jump into a well to prove its strength. Here, the hare’s intelligence and the lion’s arrogance and gullibility are human-like traits that enable the story to convey the moral lesson of using wit and strategy to overcome obstacles.

4. Cultural and Social Commentary: Anthropomorphism can be used to comment on human society, behaviors, and values. By portraying non-human entities with human traits, creators can indirectly critique or reflect upon real-world issues.

George Orwell in Animal Farm uses thorough anthropomorphism to turn the animals into symbols for the different individuals in the Russian Revolution, while also commenting on human nature in power. Their human-like actions and flaws allow for political allegory and social commentary.

The leaders of the pigs, who initially represent the oppressed working class, slowly evolve into the very tyrants they once opposed. This transformation is driven by their desires for power, luxury, and control, paralleling the behavior of corrupt human rulers.

6. Exploration of Identity and Diversity: Anthropomorphism can explore concepts of identity, belonging, and diversity. By using characters with different traits, it encourages discussions about acceptance and inclusion.

Example: In the movie “Zootopia,” various animal species living together illustrate themes of diversity, stereotypes, and unity.

In summary, anthropomorphism serves to connect, teach, entertain, and engage audiences by making non-human entities relatable through human-like traits and behaviors. It enriches storytelling by offering new perspectives and insights into the human experience.

How to Identify Anthropomorphism?

Identifying anthropomorphism in a literary or creative work is like spotting when animals or things act like humans.

If animals, objects, or nature are talking, thinking, or doing things humans usually do, showing emotions, wearing clothes or accessories, do jobs or activities, or have caliber for making decisions, and problem-solving that’s a sign of anthropomorphism or anything that is realted to human, it’s a sign of anthropomorphism.

References

Garðarsdóttir, Birgitta Ríkey. “Animals with Voices: Anthropomorphic Animals in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Black Beauty.” (2019).

Want, M. van der. (2022). From A to Z: Anthropomorphism and Zoomorphism in Victorian and Edwardian Children’s Literature.

https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/albatross/article/download/19781/8673