Overview

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 educate readers on a wide range of ethical questions, empathize with the vulnerable, and envision 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.

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9783030554293

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Reviews

“Each of the eight chapters comprising Creative Compassion opens with a personal account from activists … witness to the transformative power of storytelling. ... the stories analyzed by Gilmour provide a clear perspective on the ways in which compassion-inclined stories can be used to promote change by encouraging readers to think critically about the ethical implications of the way they understand and relate to animals. In this regard, Creative Compassion, Literature and Welfare constitutes a magnificent example of academic activism.” (Margarita Carretero González, Journal of Animal Ethics, Vol. 14 (1), 2024)

Author Information

Michael J. Gilmour 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 Eden’s Other Residents: The Bible and Animals and Animals in the Writings of C. S. Lewis.

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