Creative Compassion, Literature and Animal Welfare

Zusatztext

<div><p>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 <i>educate</i> readers on a wide range of ethical questions, <i>empathize </i>with the vulnerable, and <i>envision</i> 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.</p></div><div> </div>

Autorenportrait

<p><b>Michael J. Gilmour</b> is Associate Professor of English and biblical literature at Providence University College, Canada. He is a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and the author of <i>Eden¿s Other Residents: The Bible and Animals </i>and <i>Animals in the Writings of C. S. Lewis.</i></p>

Weitere Details