Persona - GCSE English Literature Definition

What is a persona?

In GCSE English Literature and GCSE English Language, a persona is the voice or character adopted by a writer to narrate a story or poem. It may be different from the writer's own voice and is used to present a particular perspective, personality or attitude.

Why do writers use personas?

Writers use personas for a variety of reasons. A persona allows the writer to present a unique perspective that may be different from their own, or to express opinions, emotions or experiences from another character's perspective. A well-crafted persona can make a story or poem more compelling for the reader, and they can be used to highlight social issues, moral dilemmas or philosophical ideas in a way that feels more natural.

Example of a persona

An example of a strong persona can be found in the poem 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning. The poem is in the form of a dramatic monologue, in which the Duke of Ferrara is the speaker. The Duke is not Robert Browning himself; he is a fictional persona created by the poet to explore ideas of power, control and gender roles.