Final answer:
The phrase 'the water embraced me' is an example of personification because it gives human qualities to the water, an inanimate object, by suggesting it can perform the human action of embracing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of personification in literature is when an inanimate object is given human characteristics or behaviors. When comparing the phrases 'no water was extremely warm' and 'the water embraced me,' the latter is an example of personification because it ascribes the human action of embracing to water, which is not capable of such action.
Personification helps create more vivid imagery and can evoke stronger emotional responses in the reader. It is a common literary device found across genres, often used to add depth and relatability to the non-human elements of a story.