What term describes giving human qualities to nonhuman objects?

The term that describes giving human qualities to nonhuman objects is personification. This literary device is used to create vivid imagery and to convey emotions or characteristics of human beings through nonhuman elements. For example, saying “the wind whispered through the trees” imbues the wind with the human ability to whisper, making the description more relatable and engaging for the reader.

In contrast, symbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, which is different from attributing human traits. Allegory involves telling a story with a hidden moral or political meaning, using characters and events as symbols for larger concepts. Imagery focuses on the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a mental picture, rather than assigning human characteristics to objects. Thus, personification specifically identifies the action of giving human traits to nonhuman entities.