What does the word “personify” mean?
“Personify” isn’t a true opposite to “objectify”. Personify is used in various ways in literary criticism, but usually means something like endowing an inanimate or abstract or non-human object with human characteristics. But in personification you’re always conscious that you’re pretending, that it’s a conceit. Whereas objectification has repercussions in action. Note that disparagement doesn’t attach to “personify”. Presumably you’re doing objects a favour by pretending they’re human. I’ve tended to use the word “personalize” as an opposite to “objectify”, but this doesn’t quite work either, because it’s reminiscent of getting your initials sewn on your handkerchief. Is objectification necessarily involved in racism? No. It depends on the type of racism. You can bitterly and irrationally hate someone, but still treat them as a person. Where do animals fit? Animals are problematic. Animals and plants are the grey area between persons and objects. English-speaking culture originally co
