Playing Cards Are People Too!
Anthropomorphism
- the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to an animal or object.
I spent the weekend helping my mom celebrate her 89th trip around the sun and — as we always do when we get together — we played a lot of cards. But here’s the interesting part. My mom and I not only play cards. We anthropomorphize them. Always have.
Twos are cute and friendly, like a happy toddler just given a snack.
Sevens are a little snarky –teen-agish in temperament.
Nines are male, fairly responsible types. Won’t set the world on fire, but will show up on time and get the job done.
Eights are soft, plump nurturing souls —the older sister who watches out for everyone.
I personally love Tens and Jacks. They’re like friendly grown-up Twos. My mom, on the other hand, is the queen of . . . well, Queens — which, frankly, I’ve always considered a little cold and arrogant. Also of Aces, which carry a definite Trickster energy — much like my mom.
Kings? Nice enough, but kinda clueless.
I haven’t the faintest idea where these perceptions come from. It was never something I consciously thought about and decided. It was just . . . there. Part of who they are. And I only recently realized my mom shares this quirk! (Some of the personalities we agree on. Some we don’t. See, e.g., Queens.)
It is not a trait that runs in the family, however. When I mentioned it to my daughter, she gave me the raised eyebrow “my-mother-has-lost-her-mind” look. (Think a Seven, but with an M.D.)
I’d chalk it to up to writerly imagination, but my mom is not a writer, while my children’s author sister is in league with my daughter on this topic — though she can and has anthropomophized a cardboard box with no problem. (I mean, really? A BOX?)
So, what about you folks? Any fellow playing card psychoanalyzers out there??
As for my mom — she may be pushing ninety, but she whips my ass in every game we play. And she doesn’t hesitate to gloat about it. I think she may be the Queen of Diamonds.
