Persona

Introduction

A persona in literature refers to the voice or the “mask” that an author adopts to tell a story, which may differ from their real personality. This literary device allows writers to explore different perspectives and communicate in the voice of a character, thus creating a distinct narrative voice that shapes the reader’s experience. The persona can be a character in the story or a seemingly omniscient narrator with its own distinct views and mannerisms.

This technique is particularly useful in poetry and prose to convey complex ideas through a specific character’s viewpoint. It enables authors to step into the shoes of characters from different backgrounds, time periods, or even fantastical realms, providing a fresh lens through which the audience can understand the narrative. By adopting a persona, writers can express thoughts and emotions in a voice that resonates with their intended message or theme, adding depth and richness to their work.

Pronunciation of Persona:
per-SOH-nuh

When Do Writers Use Persona?

Writers employ the persona literary device primarily to enhance their storytelling by providing a unique voice that is distinct from their own natural speaking style. This is particularly effective in genres that rely heavily on narrative depth and character development, such as novels, dramas, and poetry.

The use of a persona allows an author to explore themes or convey messages in a way that might not be possible through a direct representation of their own voice. For instance, an author might adopt a persona to:

• Speak from the perspective of a character of a different age, gender, or social background.
• Explore sensitive or controversial topics from an alternative or less personal viewpoint.
• Create a narrator with a biased or unreliable perspective to add intrigue or complexity to the narrative.
• Communicate philosophical or moral dilemmas through the eyes of a protagonist or antagonist.

In essence, personas enable writers to broaden the scope of their narrative voice, making it possible to tell more diverse and engaging stories.

How Should I Use Persona?

When utilizing the persona literary device, consider these key rules to maximize its effectiveness in your writing:

1. Consistency: Ensure that the voice of your persona remains consistent throughout the piece. Inconsistencies can confuse readers and detract from the believability of the narrative.
2. Purposeful Choice: Choose a persona that enhances the story you want to tell. Consider how the chosen voice will influence reader perception and the overall impact of the narrative.
3. Depth and Development: Give your persona depth and complexity. Just as with any character, a persona should have distinct traits, quirks, and a clear voice that make them relatable and memorable.
4. Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful when creating personas from cultures or backgrounds different from your own. Research and respect are crucial to avoid stereotyping and to provide a truthful and insightful perspective.
5. Alignment with Themes: Align the persona with the themes and messages of your story. The voice you choose should complement the narrative’s tone and enhance the delivery of its central themes.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively employ a persona to enrich your storytelling and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Types of Persona

In literature, persona types can generally be classified into several categories, each serving a unique purpose in storytelling:

1. Authorial Persona: This is a version of the author’s own voice, but tailored to suit the narrative. It’s often more formal, knowledgeable, or morally nuanced than the author’s everyday speech.
2. Character Persona: Here, the persona is a character in the story with their own perspectives and motivations. This type allows for deep character development and direct engagement with the narrative.
3. Narrative Persona: Often used in the first-person or third-person narratives, this persona acts as the story’s narrator. They can be reliable, offering an accurate depiction of events, or unreliable, misleading the reader for various effects.
4. Objective Persona: This type provides a detached, unbiased view, often used in omniscient third-person narratives where the narrator does not intrude into the story or judge the characters.
5. Figurative Persona: Utilized primarily in poetry, this persona represents an abstract concept or a direct address from an object, providing a unique and often metaphorical perspective.

Persona in Literature

Famous examples of persona in literature often involve complex narrative voices that add depth to the story:

1. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: The persona of Holden Caulfield, with his distinctive, colloquial voice, is a primary example of a character persona that drives the entire narrative.
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Through the young Scout Finch, Lee uses a child’s persona to explore heavy themes of racial injustice and moral growth.
3. “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov: Humbert Humbert serves as a compelling and disturbing persona, whose unreliable narration shapes the entire novel.
4. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn: Amy Dunne creates a deceitful persona through her diary entries, manipulating the reader’s perception of the truth.

Persona in Children’s Books

Personas in children’s books are often crafted to make complex ideas accessible and engaging for young readers:

1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White: Charlotte the spider adopts a nurturing, wise persona to help Wilbur the pig, conveying themes of friendship and compassion.
2. “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss: The Cat himself is a playful, mischievous persona that brings excitement and chaos, appealing directly to the children’s sense of adventure and fun.
3. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl: Matilda’s persona as a gifted child with a strong sense of justice resonates with readers, offering a viewpoint of resilience and cleverness against adversity.

Persona in Poetry

In poetry, personas are used to convey deep emotions and perspectives through concise and powerful language:

1. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Prufrock’s persona is of a modern man filled with self-doubt and existential angst, which Eliot uses to explore themes of modernity and isolation.
2. “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning: The Duke of Ferrara’s persona in this dramatic monologue reveals his authoritarian nature and chilling indifference toward the fate of his late wife.
3. “Lady Lazarus” by Sylvia Plath: Plath adopts a persona intertwined with her own life, using it to delve into themes of death, rebirth, and personal resurrection.

These examples showcase how personas can be adapted to different narratives, enhancing the storytelling by providing fresh insights and emotional depth.

Persona in Songs

Songs often use personas to convey complex emotions and narratives through the voice of a character or narrator. Here are 10 famous examples:

1. “Stan” by Eminem: Eminem adopts the persona of an obsessed fan writing increasingly desperate letters to his idol.
2. “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie: Bowie uses a persona to explore themes of identity and alienation.
3. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen: Freddie Mercury adopts multiple personas in this operatic epic to narrate a young man’s confession and his reflections on life.
4. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton: Parton sings from the perspective of a distressed woman pleading with another to not take her man.
5. “Luka” by Suzanne Vega: Vega adopts the persona of an abused child, subtly revealing his plight through the lyrics.
6. “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman: Chapman uses the persona of a woman dreaming of a better life while facing the harsh realities of her situation.
7. “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie: Bowie’s persona of an alien rock star comments on the superficiality and destructiveness of the music industry.
8. “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles: Paul McCartney sings from the perspectives of two lonely individuals, painting a picture of isolation and social neglect.
9. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel: Joel adopts the persona of a piano player observing and describing the lives of bar patrons.
10. “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam: Eddie Vedder uses the persona of a troubled young boy to address issues of bullying and alienation.

Persona in Movies

Personas in movies allow characters to embody different aspects of human experience, often driving the narrative or delivering critical insight:

1. “Fight Club” by David Fincher: The Narrator and Tyler Durden represent split personas of the same character, exploring themes of identity and self-destruction.
2. “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock: Norman Bates showcases a disturbed persona that hides his darker side.
3. “The Dark Knight” by Christopher Nolan: Batman and Bruce Wayne are personas of the same character, representing the duality of justice and personal sacrifice.
4. “Taxi Driver” by Martin Scorsese: Travis Bickle adopts a persona of a vigilante, reflecting his inner turmoil and societal alienation.
5. “Forrest Gump” by Robert Zemeckis: Forrest’s simple-minded and honest persona allows the audience to explore complex American social issues through his eyes.
6. “A Beautiful Mind” by Ron Howard: John Nash’s personas, influenced by his schizophrenia, impact his relationships and professional life dramatically.
7. “Mrs. Doubtfire” by Chris Columbus: Daniel Hillard adopts the persona of a female nanny to be close to his children, exploring themes of family and identity.
8. “Catch Me If You Can” by Steven Spielberg: Frank Abagnale Jr. adopts multiple personas to perpetrate cons, exploring themes of deceit and pursuit.
9. “The Great Gatsby” by Baz Luhrmann: Gatsby adopts a wealthy and mysterious persona to attract his lost love, reflecting themes of obsession and reinvention.
10. “The Truman Show” by Peter Weir: Truman Burbank slowly discovers his entire life is a constructed persona for a TV show, exploring themes of reality and freedom.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Persona

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” – The Princess Bride

YouTube Link of a Relevant Movie Clip Demonstrating Persona

This clip from “The Princess Bride” demonstrates the use of persona where Inigo Montoya confronts his father’s killer, maintaining his crafted identity of vengeance.

Persona in Advertising

Advertising frequently employs personas to create relatable, compelling narratives that speak directly to target audiences:

1. The Marlboro Man: Represents rugged masculinity to promote Marlboro cigarettes.
2. Flo from Progressive: A friendly, helpful persona used to symbolize customer service and reliability.
3. The Most Interesting Man in the World for Dos Equis: A suave, adventurous persona used to appeal to aspirational desires.
4. Tony the Tiger for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes: A cheerful and encouraging persona that appeals to children and families.
5. Mayhem for Allstate: Personifies potential disasters, emphasizing the need for comprehensive insurance.
6. Ronald McDonald for McDonald’s: A fun and friendly clown persona that appeals directly to children.
7. Geico Gecko: Represents simplicity and approachability in purchasing insurance.
8. The Old Spice Man: A humorous, over-the-top persona that rejuvenated the brand’s image.
9. Mr. Clean: Personifies effectiveness and reliability in household cleaning.
10. The Energizer Bunny: Represents the long-lasting power of Energizer batteries.

Persona-Related Literary Devices

1. Point of View (POV): The perspective from which a story is told, which can be first person, second person, or third person.
2. Voice: The individual writing style of an author, often conveyed through syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc.
3. Characterization: The creation and development of a fictional character through direct description, interaction with other characters, and actions.
4. Archetype: A recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology. This can be a character, a theme, a symbol, or even a setting.
5. Dramatic Monologue: A type of poetry or prose that involves a speaker addressing an audience or another character. This is often used to reveal the inner thoughts of the speaker or a persona in a complex situation.
6. Unreliable Narrator: A narrator whose credibility is compromised, often enhancing the sense of persona by introducing bias or altering the perception of the narrative.