English Literature GCSE
Pathetic Fallacy
What Pathetic Fallacy means in English Literature GCSE, as defined for Eduqas, OCR, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Pathetic Fallacy
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
The attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, especially in art and literature.
When the weather or environment reflects the mood of the characters or the tone of the scene.
A literary device where the weather or natural world is described in a way that mirrors the emotions of the characters. The cold, foggy weather at the start reflects Scrooge's cold heart.
A literary device where the weather and natural world are described in a way that mirrors the emotions of the characters. For example, the storm on the night of Rochester's proposal.
The attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, especially in art and literature (e.g., weather reflecting mood).
The attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, especially in art and literature (often weather reflecting mood).
Topics that use Pathetic Fallacy
- Subject Content (Eduqas GCSE)
- A Christmas Carol (OCR GCSE)
- Exploring modern and literary heritage texts (01) (OCR GCSE)
- Jane Eyre (OCR GCSE)
- Poetry across time (OCR GCSE)
- 19th-Century Novel (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- 19th-Century Novel (choice of: Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, A Christmas Carol, Pride and Prejudice, Silas Marner, Frankenstein) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- 19th-Century Novel and Poetry since 1789 (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Critical Reading (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Frankenstein (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Great Expectations (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Poetry (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Relationships Poetry Anthology (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Shakespeare and Post-1914 Literature (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
Using Pathetic Fallacy in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
Practise English Literature questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All English Literature GCSE terms7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge