Which literary device is this?

Question

If the name of a place is substituted for the townspeople that live there, what literary device would it be?

In context: "What if Eatonville could see her now in her blue denim overalls and heavy shoes?"

Thanks!

Answer 1

I guess you would call that depersonification since you are taking the people and turning them into a place. The sentence could also be said to use the literary device of speculation. Pax - C.

Answer 2

The device used here is characterization. The writer uses Eatonville to allow the character to reveal themselves to the reader. Often a physical description is the most obvious way in which a character can be given a concrete presence. Such detail may be provided by the author or by other characters. In this sentence the tone is almost conspiratorial as though "Eatonville" having observed "her" could comment and/or make explicit judgments.

Answer 3

im pretty sure it's personification, since it's giving the town human qualities, but since it's the people of Eatonville doing the seeing, I'm not sure... basically when the writer says Eatonville he/she means the people of Eatonville, or all of Eatonville's people, or something. so it not even be a literary device at all. it might just be... substituting names...!

Answer 4

depends, if the author uses it constantly, it may be an extended metaphor, or like that other person said: a form of "depersonifacation"

Answer 5

It might be personification, because the town (which is an it) is seeing, a human trait.

Answer 6

I know it's not either of those...there is a term for it, but I can't remember what it is. Something to do with generalization and prejudices.

Answer 7

I'm not sure. I think it might be a symbol if its standing for something else.