Antispeciesism in Literature

Abstract

This thesis centers on the theme of antispeciesism within English Literature. It starts with an introduction elucidating the concept of antispeciesism, outlining its foundational principles, and identifying key authors who have contributed to its development. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophy, examining its counterpositions and distinguishing it from animal rights and animal welfare. Additionally, it delves into the concept of intersectional antispeciesism. The focus then transitions to Victorian Literature, where the works of Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Anna Sewell, and Elizabeth Barren Browning are scrutinized for traces of an embryonic concept of antispeciesism. The first chapter further extends into an exploration of the legislative landscape surrounding non-human animals during the Victorian period. In the subsequent chapter, attention is directed towards contemporary authors, namely J.M. Coetzee and Isaac B. Singer. The analysis includes examinations of Coetzee's works, specifically "Elizabeth Costello," "The Lives of The Animals," and "Disgrace." The thesis endeavors to position J.M. Coetzee within the animal rights discourse, with a particular focus on his evocation of Holocaust imagery in "Elizabeth Costello," drawing connections to Isaac B. Singer, who initially introduced this analogy. The section dedicated to Isaac B. Singer concentrates on his short stories, "The Slaughterer" and "The Letter Writer," wherein the protagonists exhibit a sensitivity toward non-human animals that aligns with an antispeciesist perspective. Concluding the thesis, a broader exploration is undertaken, considering various cultural forms and media that, to varying degrees, may be interpreted within the framework of antispeciesism.