SIMILE AND PERSONIFICATION OF “WIND” AND “RAIN” IN AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE NOVELS

Abstract

This study explored the use of similes and personifications to describe “rain” and “wind” in American and Vietnamese literature from the mid-20th century to the present. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study categorized and analyzed 285 examples of similes and personifications denoting “rain” and “wind” in American and Vietnamese novels to identify similarities and differences in the portrayal of these natural phenomena. The findings showed that the American and Vietnamese novel writers utilized similes and personifications to convey the sounds, intensity, impact on the human body, emotions, and actions in terms of wind and rain. The author also tried to explain the differences in the use of these two stylistic devices in the two languages based on cultural and climatic perspectives. The study offered practical suggestions for those who are interested in describing wind and rain in American and Vietnamese novels in particular.