Apostrophe or Not? That is the Question!
So, you're staring at a bunch of words from some Chicagoan's brainchild, and you're supposed to figure out if it's having a secret conversation with inanimate objects or abstract ideas? Welcome to the wonderful world of literary devices, where everything is normal until you realize it's actually a covert operation.
What Even is Apostrophe?
Let's get this straight: apostrophe is NOT about that tiny little mark you use to show possession. We're talking about the dramatic cousin here - the one that yells at the wind, argues with a chair, or has a deep conversation with the concept of time. It's like when your friend starts talking to their car, but way more poetic and less likely to get them committed.
Personification: The Human Touch
Personification, on the other hand, is like giving your toaster a personality. It's when you say the wind "howled" or the rain "danced." It's basically anthropomorphism, but with better vocabulary.
Spotting the Imposter
Now, you might be thinking, "How am I supposed to tell the difference between a lovesick poet and a really weird person?" Fear not, language detective! Here are some clues:
- Direct Address: If the text is talking to something that can't talk back (like a tree, love, or death), it's probably apostrophe.
- Human Qualities: If the text is giving human-like qualities to non-human things, it's likely personification. But remember, sometimes they overlap!
Let's Analyze Some Chicagoan Poetry
Okay, let's dive into those excerpts. We'll look for evidence of either apostrophe or personification, or maybe even a sneaky combination of both.
Excerpt 1: "O, Chicago wind, you tempestuous beast, howling through the night, a mournful symphony of despair."
- Analysis: Direct address to the wind, human qualities assigned (beast, howling, mournful). This is a classic case of apostrophe and personification working together like a dynamic duo.
Excerpt 2: "The city sleeps, a silent giant dreaming of steel and concrete dreams."
- Analysis: Human qualities assigned to the city (sleeps, dreaming). This is a clear example of personification.
Excerpt 3: "I call upon you, spirit of the lake, to cleanse this city of its wounds."
- Analysis: Direct address to the lake as a spirit. This is a straightforward case of apostrophe.
How to...
- How to identify apostrophe: Look for direct address to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
- How to spot personification: Check for human-like qualities given to non-human things.
- How to tell them apart: If there's direct address, it's apostrophe. If there are human qualities, it's personification. Sometimes, they can be together!
- How to avoid sounding crazy when talking to objects: Maybe practice on less judgmental objects first, like your plants.
- How to appreciate the beauty of language: Embrace the weirdness of giving life to inanimate objects. It's actually quite fun!