Swaying skeletons reached for the sky and groaned as the wind blew through them. What literary device is this an example of?

The description of "swaying skeletons" that "reached for the sky and groaned as the wind blew through them" exemplifies personification. This literary device attributes human characteristics or actions to non-human entities or abstract concepts. In this case, the skeletons are given the ability to sway, reach, and groan, which are actions typically associated with living beings. By endowing these inanimate skeletons with such qualities, the imagery invokes a sense of life and movement, creating a vivid and evocative picture for the reader. This enhances the emotional impact of the scene and engages the reader’s imagination, making it clear that the skeletons are not merely objects but are portrayed as if they possess human-like qualities.