The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Animals

The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Animals explores the role of animals in literature and discusses what literature can teach us about non-human life. It offers historically rooted arguments and poses questions about habitat, extinction, captivity, race, sexuality, gender, religion, law, health, and wealth, placing animals at the center of literary studies and animal studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Animals delves into the profound and multifaceted relationship between animals and literature throughout history, igniting a vital dialogue on the invaluable lessons that literature can impart about the realm of non-human existence. Drawing upon the expertise of esteemed international scholars, this comprehensive exploration delves into the transformative impact of engaging with creatures of diverse kinds on our understanding of writing and reading. It sheds light on the significance of this interaction for navigating a range of cultural, ethical, political, and scientific developments and controversies.

The first part of the book presents historically grounded arguments that delve into key periods in literary history, including medieval metamorphosis, early modern fleshiness, eighteenth-century imperialism, Romantic sympathy, Victorian racial politics, modernist otherness, and contemporary forms. These chapters offer insightful perspectives on how animals have been portrayed, symbolized, and used to convey complex themes and ideas, shaping the literary landscape.

The second part of the companion takes a more interdisciplinary approach, posing questions that transcend historical boundaries. It explores themes such as habitat and extinction, captivity and spectatorship, race and (post-)coloniality, sexuality and gender, religion and law, health and wealth. By examining these critical issues through the lens of animal studies, the book places animals at the center of literary studies and literature at the forefront of urgent debates within the rapidly expanding field of animal studies.

Through its comprehensive analysis and thought-provoking discussions, The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Animals establishes itself as a vital resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike. It deepens our understanding of the intricate connections between humans and animals, illuminating the rich tapestry of literary works that have been shaped by their presence and the profound insights that animals can offer us about our own lives and the world around us.

ISBN-13: 9781009300049