“Building With Its Face Blown Off” by Billy Collins

The first example of personification can be seen in the line “A solitary figure in its middle years / grieving over a life half lived” (Collins). Here Collins gives the impression that the building is emotionally affected by its destruction, almost as if it were mourning its own fate. This conveys a feeling of empathy towards this structure which was once admired but now stands still with its face blown off due to war and destruction. The use of personification creates an emotional connection between readers and this lifeless object allowing them to sympathize with it's plight. Another instance of personification occurs when Collins talks about how “the walled city trembled / at each nightfall like a child afraid /of thunderstorms or monsters in closets”(Collins). Here he gives the suggestion that not only does this walled city have feelings, but also fears; something usually associated with humans rather than buildings . This further enhances readers understanding of what it must feel like for these structures during times of conflict; almost as if they are just as scared as any individual would be under similar circumstances. The final example comes near the end when Collins writes “there was nothing left except acceptance/a slow nodding at dusk”(Collins). Here he portrays the idea that despite all that has been done there remains some form of acceptance even from within this broken down structure; creating an atmosphere filled with both sadness and serenity simultaneously. By utilizing personification exponentially increases readers understanding on how it may feel for these buildings after being subject too much violence suggesting there could be more similarities between us then one may think initially. Overall Billy Collin's use of Personification serves multiple purposes throughout his poem "Building With Its Face Blown Off". Not only does it allow him to express his feelings towards those who suffer from war torn areas but also allows us draw deeper connections between ourselves and structures we so often take for granted without ever considering their inner thoughts or emotions

Sample Solution

    Personification is a literary device used in literature to give human qualities, feelings and behaviors to non-human things. In his poem “Building With Its Face Blown Off” Billy Collins uses personification to create an image of a building that has been destroyed by war. He creates this image by giving the building human characteristics such as grief, fear and acceptance. By giving these emotions to the building he is able to convey a sense of sadness and sorrow for what has happened.