Essay Questions

How does the author use the literary device of personification in the novel The Snowman?

Personification is used throughout the book when the author incarnates Snowman. During the day, the narrator rolls a snowball into a human statute and puts a hat on its head. At night when the narrator looks outside through the window, he sees the Snowman coming to life and starts waving at him. The narrator walks outside and brings Snowman inside the house. They talk and have a meal in the kitchen. When the narrator tours his parents' bedroom, the Snowman puts on the narrator's father's clothes and glasses. After finishing the house tour, the narrator and the Snowman go outside and fly across the sky. The Snowman brings the narrator back before the morning. Therefore, the snowball is personified as a man with the ability to do everything people are capable of doing.

What is the symbolic meaning of the freezer?

The freezer symbolizes life. When the narrator takes Snowman into the kitchen, he says that he loves the freezer more than anything else that is there. Later, the narrator takes Snowman into the garage and the seat inside the car. Snowman also notices a freezer in the corner of the garage and tells the narrator that he loves the freezer. Snowman knows that the only place he can survive during the day is in the freezer. True to his thoughts, the following day, Snowman melts when the day becomes hot. The narrator is shocked when he wakes up to find melted ice instead of Snowman.

What is the main theme in Snowman?

The main theme in Snowman is grief. The narrator is a young unnamed boy who falls in love with his newfound friend, Snowman, and they spend a great night together. When the narrator wakes up at night and looks outside through the window, he sees Snowman waving at him. The narrator brings him inside the house and they take a joyous tour. Snowman appreciates taking the narrator on tour across the skies and the sea before bringing him back to sleep. Unfortunately, when the boy wakes up the next day, he finds a block of melted ice and feels disheartened because his friend is no more.