The Spellbinding Connection: Animality and Vulnerability in Literature and Film

Often hailed as faithful reflections of society and the human condition, literature and film explore the spectrum of emotions and experiences that shape our existence. Within these intricate narratives, there exists a captivating connection between animality and vulnerability that mirrors our own complex nature. Exploring the depths of this relationship, we venture into a realm where human emotions and characteristics are personified by animals, adding depth and insight to our own understanding.

The Animal as a Vessel of Vulnerability

In countless works of literature and film, animals are portrayed as vulnerable beings, often oppressed and subject to the control of humanity. Through their animalistic traits and behaviors, these creatures represent a mirror through which we reflect on our own vulnerabilities as humans. They serve as a reminder of our shared susceptibility to pain, oppression, and the harsh realities of life.

One of the most poignant examples of this connection can be found in George Orwell's timeless novel, "Animal Farm." In this allegorical tale, farm animals rebel against their human oppressors, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation and oppression once again. The animals embody the vulnerability of the oppressed, highlighting the power dynamics that exist within society.

Creaturely Poetics: Animality and Vulnerability in Literature and Film

by Anat Pick(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23432 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	266 pages

FREE

In film, the animated classic "Bambi" beautifully captures the fragility of life and the vulnerability of innocence. Through the journey of Bambi, a young deer, we witness the devastation of loss and the struggles of survival. The animal characters in this film serve as vessels for vulnerability, evoking empathy from the audience and shedding light on our own fears and vulnerabilities.

The Animal as a Symbol of Freedom and Instinct

While vulnerability is a common theme in the portrayal of animals, they are not limited to being mere victims. Animals also symbolize freedom and unyielding instinct, offering a stark contrast to human society and its restrictions. This duality adds depth and complexity to the exploration of animality in literature and film.

Jack London's "The Call of the Wild" exemplifies the untamed spirit of animals, as protagonist Buck embraces his true nature as a sled dog in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. Through his journey, Buck symbolizes the liberation of instinct and the importance of embracing our true selves. The animal characters in this novel serve as a reminder of the freedom that lies within us, waiting to be awakened.

In film, the critically acclaimed "The Lion King" takes us on a gripping adventure through the Pride Lands. Through the lion characters, especially Simba, we witness the struggle for power and the pursuit of one's true destiny. The animals in this film symbolize the raw power of nature and the importance of preserving our instinctive connection to the world around us.

Blurring the Line: Animality and Humanity in Sync

Through the connection between animality and vulnerability, literature and film blur the line between the animal and human worlds. The personification of animals allows us to delve deeper into the intricacies of our own humanity, challenging preconceived notions of superiority and reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities.

One example of this can be found in Yann Martel's enchanting novel, "Life of Pi." Through the story of a young boy stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, Martel explores the resilience of the human spirit and the primal instincts that drive us. The animal-human bond in this novel challenges our understanding of animality and vulnerability, showing us that the line between the two may be more blurred than we initially thought.

In film, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" brings to life a tale as old as time, where a beautiful young woman falls in love with a cursed prince who has been transformed into a beast. Through this enchanting love story, we witness the transformative power of vulnerability and the unique connection that can form when two beings overcome their fears and prejudices. The animal-human hybrid in this film challenges societal norms, reminding us that true beauty lies in embracing our vulnerability.

Animality and vulnerability in literature and film offer a captivating exploration of the human experience. By personifying animals with human emotions and characteristics, these narratives enable us to reflect on our own vulnerabilities and the power dynamics present in society. Animals serve as vessels of vulnerability and symbols of freedom, blurring the line between the human and animal worlds. Through these stories, we gain insight into our shared vulnerabilities and the transformative power that lies within embracing our true selves.

Creaturely Poetics: Animality and Vulnerability in Literature and Film

by Anat Pick(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23432 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	266 pages

FREE

Simone Weil once wrote that "the vulnerability of precious things is beautiful because vulnerability is a mark of existence," establishing a relationship between vulnerability, beauty, and existence transcending the separation of species. Her conception of a radical ethics and aesthetics could be characterized as a new poetics of species, forcing a rethinking of the body's significance, both human and animal. Exploring the "logic of flesh" and the use of the body to mark species identity, Anat Pick reimagines a poetics that begins with the vulnerability of bodies, not the omnipotence of thought. Pick proposes a "creaturely" approach based on the shared embodiedness of humans and animals and a postsecular perspective on human-animal relations. She turns to literature, film, and other cultural texts, challenging the familiar inventory of the human: consciousness, language, morality, and dignity. Reintroducing Weil's elaboration of such themes as witnessing, commemoration, and collective memory, Pick identifies the animal within all humans, emphasizing the corporeal and its issues of power and freedom. In her poetics of the creaturely, powerlessness is the point at which aesthetic and ethical thinking must begin.