Understanding Pathetic Fallacy: A Literary Device

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie where the weather or nature seemed to be reflecting the emotions or mood of the characters? This literary device is known as pathetic fallacy. In this tutorial, we’ll take a closer look at what pathetic fallacy is and how it’s used in literature and media.

What is Pathetic Fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which the natural world is personified, or given human-like qualities, in order to reflect the emotions or mood of the characters. This can include attributes such as feelings, thoughts, or desires.

For example, if a character is feeling sad, the weather might be described as gloomy or depressing. If a character is feeling joyful, the weather might be described as sunny and warm.

Pathetic fallacy is often used to add depth and emotion to a story, and to help the reader or viewer understand the characters’ experiences on a deeper level.

Examples of Pathetic Fallacy

Here are a few examples of how pathetic fallacy is used in literature and media:

• In the novel “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë, the character Catherine is described as being “as changeable as the sea.” The weather in the novel is often stormy and turbulent, reflecting Catherine’s tumultuous emotions.
• In the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” the character Andy Dufresne is imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. As he begins to lose hope, the weather becomes increasingly gloomy and rainy.
• In the song “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Ann Peebles, the lyrics describe the weather as a metaphor for the singer’s emotions. The rain represents her sadness and frustration.

Conclusion

Pathetic fallacy is a literary device that personifies the natural world in order to reflect the emotions or mood of the characters. It’s a way to add depth and emotion to a story, and to help the reader or viewer understand the characters’ experiences on a deeper level.