From: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:10:21 EDT To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Talking Animals I find it disconcerting that you naturally assume the animal has to suffer in any story in which it appears. All animal stories are not Peter Rabbit or The Goose Girl. Sometimes they are Brer Rabbit stories, in which generally only the animal of evil intent suffers, and the most he suffers is humiliation. I mean, yes, Pooh does suffer certain mild apprehensions from time to time. But often enough, the talking animal is a helpful advisor ("Puss in Boots") or transformed human ("Laidly Worm"). If you want suffering, you should focus on the princesses in stories. They tend to get a really bum rap. And the narrator establishes a bland sympathy based on the fact that they are good and beautiful. Not to mention stepchildren. Boy, are they stuck in the mud. I just think it is easy for children to identify with animals because the little cuddly ones appeal to their desire to be loved, and the big strong ones appeal to their need to feel empowered. So take your choice-- Pooh Bear or a dinosaur. Cheers, Alice In a message dated 4/14/2009 8:17:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time, sheepwpunks-AT-gmail.com writes: Human beings are more vulnerable to an appeal to innocence when watching animal characters rather than representations of their own species. Humans being a particularly competitive and vicious species of ape, they will tend to watch the suffering of another human being and either feel a) vaguely superior for not suffering themselves or b) quiet satisfaction that there is one less competitor. For an animal we may feel sympathy, at least until we start outsourcing the jobs to chimps and puppies. How cute can a kitten be when that very cuteness might win it that theatrical grant you've been chasing after?misanthropically yrs. Alexander **************The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221421325x1201417411/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26h mpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DAprilAvgfooterNO62) _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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