What is Persona? 🎭
Pronunciation: /pərˈsoʊnə/
A persona in literature is a character or figurative mask that an author adopts to tell a story. The term “persona” is derived from the Latin word for “mask,” and it refers to the voice or assumed role of a character that represents the thoughts of the writer or a particular viewpoint. The persona can be a character in the story, a narrator, or even a crafted public image of the writer.
How Writers Use Persona ✍️
Writers use persona to:
- Present a specific point of view.
- Create a distinct voice and personality for the narrative.
- Convey different emotions and perspectives.
- Engage readers by adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
- Experiment with various styles and tones.
Types of Persona 📚
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First-Person Persona | The narrative voice is a character within the story, using “I” or “we.” | “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger |
| Third-Person Persona | The narrative voice is outside the story, using “he,” “she,” or “they.” | “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen |
| Unreliable Persona | The narrative voice is unreliable, providing a distorted or biased perspective. | “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk |
| Stream of Consciousness Persona | The narrative voice reflects the flow of thoughts and feelings. | “Ulysses” by James Joyce |
Persona Rules 📜
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Consistency | Maintain a consistent voice and personality throughout the narrative. |
| Authenticity | Ensure the persona feels authentic and believable. |
| Relevance | The persona should be relevant to the story and add value to the narrative. |
| Distinction | Differentiate the persona from the author’s voice. |
| Depth and Complexity | Develop the persona with depth and complexity to engage readers. |
Examples in Literature, Poetry, Songs, Movies, and Advertising
Persona in Literature 📖
| Work | Author | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The Catcher in the Rye” | J.D. Salinger | The protagonist Holden Caulfield narrates the story with his unique voice and perspective. |
| “To Kill a Mockingbird” | Harper Lee | Scout Finch narrates the story, providing insights from her childhood perspective. |
| “Lolita” | Vladimir Nabokov | Humbert Humbert narrates the story, offering an unreliable and disturbing viewpoint. |
Watch The Catcher in the Rye – Analysis on YouTube.
Persona Odes in Children’s Books 📚
| Book | Author | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” | Jeff Kinney | Greg Heffley’s journal entries provide a humorous and relatable perspective. |
| “The Tale of Despereaux” | Kate DiCamillo | The narrator’s voice adds a fairy tale-like quality to the story. |
| “Matilda” | Roald Dahl | The narrative voice reflects Matilda’s intelligence and unique perspective. |
Watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Animated Summary on YouTube.
Persona in Poetry 🎨
| Poem | Poet | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” | T.S. Eliot | The persona of J. Alfred Prufrock expresses his inner thoughts and insecurities. |
| “My Last Duchess” | Robert Browning | The Duke narrates the poem, revealing his character through his speech. |
| “Lady Lazarus” | Sylvia Plath | The persona reflects Plath’s own experiences and emotions. |
Watch T.S. Eliot – The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock Reading on YouTube.
Persona in Songs 🎶
| Song | Artist | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Stan” | Eminem | The song adopts the persona of an obsessive fan writing to Eminem. |
| “Ziggy Stardust” | David Bowie | Bowie adopts the persona of Ziggy Stardust, an alien rock star. |
| “Eleanor Rigby” | The Beatles | The song narrates the lives of lonely people through distinct voices. |
Watch Eminem – Stan ft. Dido on YouTube.
Persona Odes in Movies 🎬
| Movie | Character | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Fight Club” | The Narrator | The protagonist narrates the story, revealing his mental struggles and unreliable perspective. |
| “A Clockwork Orange” | Alex DeLarge | Alex narrates the story with his unique, disturbing perspective. |
| “Deadpool” | Wade Wilson/Deadpool | Deadpool breaks the fourth wall, narrating his story with humor and irreverence. |
Watch Fight Club – Narrator’s Monologue on YouTube.
Persona in Advertising 📺
| Ad | Brand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “The Most Interesting Man in the World” | Dos Equis | The ad features a persona of a charming, adventurous man to promote the beer. |
| “Old Spice – The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” | Old Spice | The persona of a confident and humorous man is used to advertise the product. |
| “GEICO Gecko” | GEICO | The GEICO Gecko persona adds a friendly and memorable face to the brand. |
Watch Dos Equis – The Most Interesting Man in the World on YouTube.
FAQs about Persona
What is Persona?
A persona is a character or figurative mask that an author adopts to tell a story, representing a particular viewpoint or voice in the narrative.
Why do writers use Persona?
Writers use persona to present specific points of view, create distinct voices, convey different emotions, engage readers, and experiment with various styles.
What are some famous examples of Persona?
Famous examples include Holden Caulfield in “The Catcher in the Rye,” Scout Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and the Duke in “My Last Duchess.”
Can Persona be used in different types of media?
Yes, persona can be found in literature, poetry, songs, movies, and advertising, adding depth and variety to the narrative.
Related Devices
- Narrator: The person or character who tells the story.
- Unreliable Narrator: A narrator whose credibility is compromised.
- Point of View: The perspective from which a story is told.
- Characterization: The process by which an author reveals the personality of a character.
- Voice: The distinctive style or manner of expression of an author or character.