Middle Earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, and Animals: A Review of the Treatment of Nonhuman Animals and Other Sentient Beings in Christian-Based Fantasy Fiction.

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  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      HARRY Potter book series; CHRONICLES of Narnia book series; LORD of the Rings book series
    • Subject Terms:
      TOLKIEN, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973; LEWIS, C. S., 1898-1963
    • Abstract:
      The way that nonhuman animals and other nonhuman sentient beings are portrayed in the Christian-based Harry Potter series, C. S. Lewis's Narnia series, and Tolkien's Middle Earth stories is discussed from a Christian animal liberationist perspective. Middle Earth comes closest to a liberationist ideal, in that vegetarianism is connected with themes of power, healing, and spirituality. Narnia could be described as a more enlightened welfarist society where extremes of animal cruelty are frowned upon, but use of animals for food is acceptable. In contrast, the more recent Harry Potter series portrays a less enlightened attitude toward human and nonhuman animals. Animals are treated merely as ends, vegetarianism is unheard of, and the view that even iconic species have intrinsic worth is ridiculed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
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