Creative Compassion, Literature and Animal Welfare

This book examines animal welfare themes in fiction, and considers how authors of the last two centuries undermine dominative attitudes toward the nonhuman. Appearing alongside the emerging humane movements of the nineteenth century and beyond is a kind of storytelling sympathetic to protectionist efforts well-described as a literature of protest. Compassion-inclined tales like the Dolittle adventures by Hugh Lofting educate readers on a wide range of ethical questions, empathize with the vulnerable, and envision peaceful coexistence with other species. Memorable characters like Black Beauty and Beautiful Joe, Ivan the gorilla and Louis the trumpeter swan, Hazel and Cheeta, Mr. Bultitude and Doctor Rat do not merely amuse. They are voices from the margins who speak with moral urgency to those with ears to hear. This broad survey of ethical themes in animal fiction highlights the unique contributions creative writers make toward animal welfare efforts.

Explores a broad range of animal welfare themes in fiction Examines a number of well-loved animal characters including Black Beauty, Doctor Rat and Beautiful Joe Highlights the unique contributions creative writers make toward animal welfare efforts

Autorentext

Michael J. Gilmour is Associate Professor of English Literature and New Testament at Providence University College, Canada. He is a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and the author of Eden's Other Residents: The Bible and Animals.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Introduction: The Parallel Voices of Modern Animal Welfare Movements and a Literature of Compassion.- Chapter 2. It's a Bad World for Animals: Activism and Sentimental Literature.- Chapter 3. Eating Meat, Eating Misery.- Chapter 4. Lessons on Animals and Science with Doctor Rat.- Chapter 5. St Francis Visits Rabbit Hill: Visions of Coexistence.- Chapter 6. A Sort of Temple: Religious Themes in Animal Literature.- Chapter 7: The Mark of Cain: Human Hunters and Animal Predators.- Chapter 8. Animals, Mourning, and Cat-lovin' Bastards.