CRITICAL ANIMAL STUDIES AND NON-SPECIESIST PERCEPTION OF ANIMALS IN THOMAS HARDY'S POETRY

Abstract

This study intends to foreground Thomas Hardy’s (1840-1928) social and ecological responsibility to the ongoing animal exploitation by analyzing his poems from the perspective of a recently emerging theory of critical animal studies. Hardy’s poetic responsiveness to the unjust human treatment of animals as disposable materials to be used and consumed is worthy of critical attention pertaining to his depiction of animals as self-conscious, intelligent, and emotional individuals. Going against the conventional anthropocentric assumptions of the Victorian period perceiving animals as insentient, passive, and automated objects who cannot feel pain and suffering, Hardy adopts an animal-oriented viewpoint and confronts his readers with the dreadful consequences of implacable human attitude to animals. In addition to giving voice to animals who are tortured and murdered for trivial human reasons, Hardy disentangles the indubitable principles of humanity and its moral standards which give consent to the infliction of pain and anguish on another living being. While questioning the morality of human values, Hardy depicts animals as moral communities who are perfectly accomplished and sufficiently advanced to initiate meaningful interaction with their environment. An elucidation of Hardy’s poetry from the viewpoint of critical animal studies, hence, will provide a broad insight into Hardy’s scientific understanding of the universe, replete with intelligent, socially and emotionally developed individuals who deserve respect and approbation of humans.