Personification is a literary device in which a thing, animal, or inanimate object is given human attributes in order to add an aesthetic quality to the narrative and contribute to the author's description. Ray Bradbury continually personifies George and Lydia Hadley's Happylife Home throughout his celebrated short story "The Veldt." The Happylife Home is a completely automated, technologically advanced smart home which performs everyday functions. The home cooks, cleans, bathes, and entertains the Hadley family. Unfortunately, the Hadleys have become over-reliant on technology, and the Happylife Home begins to replace George and Lydia as parents. Lydia expresses her displeasure and personifies the home by saying,
The house is wife and mother now, and nursemaid.
By personifying the house as wife, mother, and nursemaid, Lydia is implying that the house functions as a caring, helpful member of their family. Another example of personification takes place when Bradbury writes,
George Hadley...
(The entire section contains 4 answers and 838 words.)
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