The Human and Animal Bond in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and The Red Pony
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of 20th August 1955, Skikda
Abstract
The aim of this study is to highlight Steinbeck’s main reasons for including
animals in both his fictional and non-fictional works, most notably Of Mice
and Men, The Red Pony, The Log from the Sea of Cortez and Travels with
Charley: In Search of America. Indeed, there is a strong relationship that
binds humans with animals in these works. Steinbeck makes use of such a
bond: First, to reflect his lifelong experiences with animals through his
writing. Keep in mind that Steinbeck himself raised a pony named Jill
when he was a child and he also owned an array of breeds of dogs and
developed a special affinity for marine biology during his matriculation at
Stanford University and his friendship with Edward Ricketts; second, to
emphasize that the lives of humans and animals are closely connected ;
third, that animals are good companions and protection for man ; fourth,
that the world surrounding the humans and animals is unforgiving,
uncaring and above all predatory and is based on “the survival of the
fittest.” This dissertation is divided into four main chapters. The first
chapter is dedictated to exploring Steinbeck’s attachment to the animal
world starting from his childhood to his death. The second chapter is
devoted to delving into the effect of Edward Ricketts on Steinbeck’s
philosophy about animal behavior. In this context, I will jail myself within
the scopes of the phalanx theory, man’s animality and non-teleological8
thinking and how these philosophies are inherent in his writing. The third
chapter deals with the human and animal bond in Of Mice and Men. In this
respect, I will diagnose the relationship between Lennie and small animals
and that of Candy and his devoted dog. The last chapter revolves around
the human and animal bond in The Red Pony. In this case, I will anatomize
Jody Tiflin’s behavior toward danimals in this predatory world and how he
arises from boyhood to manhood. All these chapters are interwoven
together for the sake of arguing the existence of the philosophies mentioned
above and how some of them have their echoes in Islamic religion.