British colonial adventurers commonly paid respect to the unfamiliar fauna within the vast territories of the British colonies. The more countries they explored, the more different kinds of unknown animals they encountered. Nevertheless, the role which animals played in the colonies and their relation to human beings was far more complex. There were not only the feral predators which were regarded as a threat to cattle and people. Principally, pack animals like horses or mules were more than important to make the survival of humans in these hostile environments possible. Although white men were dependent on animals, they mostly did not appreciate their amenities. A striking example was the almost extinction of the bison in the American Mid-West territories during the 19th century – especially the history of the natives is closely connected to this phenomenon. In contrast to the white men, native tribes practically valued all sorts of animals in every part of the world because they cultivated symbiotic relations (the common approach to life was living close to nature). The interrelation between landscape, animals and humans was supposed to be a complex challenge for all of them.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Role of Animals in McCarthy's Blood Meridian and Haggard's She
- The Interrelation between Landscape, Animals and Humans
- The White Men's Attitude Towards Animals
- The Natives' Attitude Towards Animals
- The Literary Use of Some Particular Wild Animals
- The Relationship between Human Beings and Animals
- The Hostile Landscape and the Connection Between Men and Animals
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the complex relationship between humans and animals in the context of two classic works of literature, Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian and H. Rider Haggard's She. It examines how the authors use animal imagery and encounters to highlight the brutality and harsh realities of the American West and the African wilderness, respectively. The essay analyzes the contrasting attitudes of white settlers and native tribes towards animals, highlighting the different ways in which these groups interacted with and perceived the natural world.
- The role of animals in shaping human experience in hostile environments
- The contrasting attitudes of white settlers and native tribes towards animals
- The use of animal imagery to convey themes of violence, survival, and the blurring of boundaries between humans and animals
- The impact of human actions on the natural world and the consequences of exploitation
- The relationship between human behavior and animalistic instincts
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by introducing the concept of the colonial adventurer's respect for unfamiliar fauna, exemplified by a quote from SHE. It then explores the importance of pack animals like horses and mules for human survival in hostile environments, highlighting the destructive impact of the near-extinction of the bison in the American West.
The essay then delves into the specific role of horses in Blood Meridian, emphasizing their crucial importance for travel and survival in the vast territories. The text highlights the consequences of losing horses and the vulnerability of humans without their assistance. The essay also analyzes the white men's disdain for animals, exemplified by Glanton's cruelty and Judge Holden's disdain for the freedom of birds.
The essay then contrasts the white men's perspective with the natives' appreciation for animals, particularly in the context of Indian nature religions. The essay explores the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals in native cultures, highlighting the sustainable use of resources and the respect for animal life. The essay contrasts this with the white men's excessive hunting and the destructive consequences of their actions.
The essay continues by examining the literary use of specific wild animals in both Blood Meridian and SHE, analyzing how these encounters contribute to the atmosphere of displacement and threat. The essay analyzes the symbolic significance of wolves, bats, and other predators, highlighting how they contribute to the blurring of boundaries between humans and animals.
The essay concludes by exploring the multifaceted relationship between human beings and animals, drawing parallels between the behavior of the Glanton gang and a pack of wolves. The essay highlights the brutality of the gang's scalp-hunting and the distorted perception of human nature, suggesting that wild predators may even be more civilized than the violent humans in the story.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores key themes of animal representation, human-animal relationships, colonialism, environmentalism, and violence. The focus is on the contrasting attitudes of white settlers and native tribes towards animals, highlighting the destructive impact of human actions on the natural world. The essay examines the symbolic use of animals in literature, analyzing their role in shaping human experience and revealing the complexities of human nature.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Küpper (Author), 2007, The Role of Animals in McCarthy’s "Blood Meridian" and Haggard’s "She", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/145336
