What does personification attribute to nonhuman entities?

Personification is a literary device where human characteristics or traits are attributed to nonhuman entities or objects. This technique allows writers to create vivid imagery and engage readers by making inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts relatable and more emotionally appealing. For instance, when a poet describes the wind as "whispering through the trees," the wind is given a human action—whispering. This enhances the reader's understanding and emotional connection to the scene being described.

In contrast, attributing numeric values, mechanical properties, or abstract ideas does not effectively convey the essence of personification. Numeric values would imply quantifying nonhuman entities, while mechanical properties might describe functionality rather than emotional qualities. Abstract ideas, although they can be personified in literature, do not inherently possess human traits until they are described in a way that gives them such attributes. Thus, attributing human characteristics is the defining feature of personification, making it the correct choice for understanding this literary device.