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Pathos
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Chapter 8: Flies and Spiders
Explanation and Analysis—The Naming of Sting:
In Chapter 8, after Bilbo kills a giant spider with the little sword he has been carrying, he names the sword "Sting." By naming the sword, he personifies it as a constant fighting companion:
The spider lay dead beside him, and his sword-blade was stained black. Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped his sword on the grass and put it back into its sheath.
“I will give you a name,” he said to it, “and I shall call you Sting.”
The particular name Bilbo gives to the blade emphasizes its status as an inanimate weapon. It has acted as a "stinger" with which Bilbo has countered the sting of the spider. However, the manner in which Bilbo bestows this name suggests that the sword is more alive than a mere chunk of metal. Instead of congratulating himself on his victory, he speaks directly to the sword. He calls it "you," as though it is a person who can hear him and who participated equally in the battle.
Bilbo has not previously thought of himself as much of a fighter. He has generally relied on luck or the help of others to get him out of difficult situations, so he feels "a great difference" in himself when he realizes that he has killed the spider unaided by Gandalf, the dwarves, or dumb luck. He has stabbed the spider, winning fair and square. However, even in this moment, he is quick to recognize the help and companionship that got him through the encounter alive. He knows that without Sting, he would never have made it. Bilbo's humility and pride come together in this moment, marking a turning point in his development as a hero. He begins to feel more confident in his own strengths and limitations, something many more accomplished heroes struggle to do. At the same time, he proves to himself that he will never be on his own as long as he has the companionship of his sword.
Related Themes:
