Question

What is pathetic fallacy used for and what effect could it have?

Answer 1

Hint: Pathetic fallacy is a figure of speech. A figure of speech refers to figurative reference where the words used in a sentence/ poem/ story or any other literary work convey a figurative meaning and not the literal meaning.

Complete answer:
Pathetic fallacy is usually used for nature related non human objects. For e.g. flowers, mountains, rivers etc. It is usually used in poetic work. Also even though the word pathetic means bad, 'pathetic fallacy' means fake emotions or expression. There is nothing negative about the term. This term was first used by John Ruskin in the 18th century. He called it so be aise he believed it was unreal to show human nature through non human objects.

Some of the famous pathetic fallacies are-
- Weeping willow
- Lonely as a cloud
- Lion King: the aftermath of scar's death
- Violent thunderstorm
- The night has been unruly
- The sparrow talked to us.

Effect of pathetic fallacy:
- It can be used to show the mood for e.g. shining sun shows a happy mood whereas cold wind indicates unpleasant mood.
- It can show a switch from one scene to another.
- It can also indicate emotional suspense.
- It can show a fake Emotion.
- It helps the reader to have more creative perspective.

Note: There is a difference between pathetic fallacy and personification as a figure of speech. In case of pathetic fallacy emotions can be given to any "non-human" object. Now this does not necessarily imply "non living object". Whereas, in personification emotions are given to objects.