Question

The children assembled first, of course. School was recently over for the summer, and the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on most of them.

In one sentence of at least 20 words, explain Shirley Jackson’s use of personification in the above passage. Use textual evidence to identify the phrase or phrases that are personification, and discuss how the subtle nuances of her word choices affect the reader.

Answer 1

When she says that liberty sat its personification

Answer 2

Shirley Jackson uses the literary device personification when she says, "...and the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on most of them." It is personification because liberty is not a living thing, therefore it cannot sit.