Pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which nature or inanimate objects are given human emotions or qualities to reflect the mood or atmosphere of a particular scene or situation. For example, a stormy sky might be used to convey a sense of foreboding or danger, or a sunny day might be used to suggest happiness or joy. The term “pathetic” in this context does not mean “pitiful” or “pathetic” in the modern sense but instead derives from an older meaning of the word, which refers to emotions or feelings. The term “fallacy” is used because the technique involves a deliberate error or mistake in attributing human emotions to non-human things. The technique is often used in poetry and fiction to create a vivid or evocative atmosphere and is a common feature of Romantic and Gothic literature.
