Tags
Animals in Literature, Anne Anderson, Appearances, Beauty and the Beast, Illustrator, metamorphoses

Beauty dines with the Beast in an illustration by Anne Anderson (Photo credit: Wikipedia
My last two posts were an analysis of a fable by Jean de La Fontaine, “L’Ours et l’amateur des jardins,” “The Bear and the Gardener.” The corresponding fable by Æsop is entitled “The Bald Man and the Fly,” but the fable reflects Le Livre des lumières ou La Conduite des roys, fables by Bidpai.
You may remember that I could not find the fable’s Perry Index number. I simply forgot that Aesop’s corresponding fable was entitled “The Bald Man and the Fly.” It is numbered 525 in the Perry Index. For information on fables,Laura Gibbs’ Bestiaria Latina is the site one visits. Æsop and his numerous followers are Laura’s area of specialization.
Animals in Literature: a Project
This post is a progress report. Several years ago, I had to prepare a course on animals in literature during a sabbatical leave I was devoting to my book on Molière. I taught the course and have continue researching the subject, but the effort ended my career.
However, I have written so many posts on Animals in Literature that they should be listed on a page. There are gaps to fill. As for the texts, many are on the internet, such as the collections of fables I listed on 2 March 2017. Would that there had been an entry on Beast Literature or Animals in Literature, when I prepared my course.
Fables and Fairy Tales: Anthropomorphism and Metamorphoses
Our starting-point will be a clarification of the concept of anthropomorphism. Animals in literature are human beings in disguise. I have already written a post on this subject, but it has been refurbished. But metamorphoses, many of which were told by Roman poet Ovid, are also central to both fables and fairy tales. Ovid’s Metamorphoses has been the source of a large number of literary works.
Love to everyone ♥

Cinderella by Anne Anderson

The Miller’s Daughter by Anne Anderson
© Micheline Walker
3 March 2017
WordPress
Anne Anderson’s illustrations are beautiful.
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Thank you Gallivanta,
There was a Golden Age of illustrators. Most were British. Anne Anderson’s illustrations are so delicate. She must have been a kind soul. Her depiction of Beast does not make Beast repulsive. One can tell that Beauty would chose to marry him when he is dying. I often think of you and hope you are well. Micheline
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I am well, thank you.
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That is lovely. I’m so happy to hear. Micheline
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Thank you for introducing me to the work of Anne Anderson. You had us both Googling her.
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Derrick, Illustrations of fairy tales and fables are breathtaking and the British were the best. Anne Anderson’s illustrations are perfect. Another favourite is Beatrix Potter who also wrote her tales.
I have decide to let Americans put an end to the Trump organization. All I fear is the spread of xenophobia. That can have tragic consequences. Scaring people is easy. Love to you and your family. Best 🙂
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Many thanks, Micheline X
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Many thank Derrick. 🙂
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Dear Micheline, looking forward to the “clarification of the concept of anthropomorphism.” In my experience, anthropomorphism is often maligned. Still, I plan to exploit it as a literary device. So… maybe should know more about it. ❤
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Anthropomorphism is not a difficult not a difficult concept. Anthropomorphic animals are humans in disguise. They escape censorship. But we also have zoomorphic animals, like the unicorn, etc… That complicates matters. They are not humans in disguise. Love, Micheline
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Great post, Micheline!
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We TK, It’s time I did some serious work: animals! Americans are about to take care of Mr Trump. The people he chose cannot give him a decent administration. I hope you are well. Best, Micheline
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I admit to being dumbfounded when I hear of the American politics. I also admit to feeling scared as well.
I’m doing well, thank you. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Keep them coming!
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I think President Trump is a very sick man. He lives in fear of Muslims and thinks he may be able to control them. In fact, he wants to control everyone, women in particular. He is writing one executive order after another. He also wants to repatriate everything. He could plunge the world into a mammoth economic fiasco. It started with the emergence of Isil and the refugee crisis. The EU got scared and Brexit weakened it. Donald Trump was elected, which weakened the United States. So Russia rules. The next question is just who was behind Isil.
Some Americans (and Canadians) believe Trump is the boy next door, not to be feared. Members of his administration are not qualified, but they are rich and at least one has turned out to be corrupt. The Republicans chose an unqualified nominee. It’s terrible. My best to you. Micheline 🙂
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I certainly am not one to think of Trump as the guy next door. He really does scare me. While North Korea pounds it’s chest, Trump tries to incite something with allegations against Obama tapping his phone in N.Y.! I also think it’s funny, though, when he tries to be presidential, and still makes grammatical errors in his tweets. No, I tell you that I hope he does something so bad that he’ll be impeached. Right now, that’s my hope.
Be well, my friend.
Teri
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I’m so far behind so apologies. No Donald Trump is not the guy next door. Why would former President Obama tap his phone? He’s afraid of everyone. Would that it did not force people to cross borders where it isn’t safe to do so. He is providing extremists with reasons to be what they are. But that is something he could not understand. If he wants to help the middle class, he should consider not touching the Affordable Care Act. He doesn’t know what a democracy is. We are going from one executive order to another. These are a final recourse and they should not reflect a wish to undo what one’s predecessor did. The United States cannot go forward if it begins again each time a new administration is voted into office.
I think he will be impeached.
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micheline— i dunno if a rabbit is a “beast” …. anyway i love the rabbit at the beginning of alice wonderland …. the surprising for alice was not that the rabbit were speaking BUT that the rabbit has a pocket watch …. this scenette has alway making me laugh …. have a nice sunday, hugs by rinaldo.
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Well Rinaldo, That rabbit is magnificent. I had a reproduction that rabbit hanging over my bed. It was damaged and I could not replace it. In anthropomorphism, animals are humans in disguise, hence their carrying a watch and wearing clothes. It takes a long time to prepare a course on animals in literature, but it is so rewarding. There are magical cats and all sorts of beautiful animals.
Big hugs and Love Rinaldo 🙂
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Micheline— i am very happy to hear of you and your sentiments. Have a nice Sunday. Ciao amica mia.
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Thank you for warm words. Have a delightful week, despite Mr Trump. Ciao. 🙂
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Ah ah yes i’ll do. Ciao cara Micheline.
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No rabbits are not beasts; they are little fur persons. That’s why illustrators dressed them so well. Beast literature is just the name of a discipline that includes a few real beasts: werewolves, powerful but ruthless lion kings and dragons that kill elephants. As for fairy tale beasts, they are cursed humans waiting for the right words to be spoken so they return to their real self. Since the middle of the 19th century, even the Western dragons are nice. Love and hugs, Micheline
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Micheline— thanks for the explanation. Hugs and have nice tuesday. Ciao.
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We humans have a lot to do with the way animals interact with us. The same is true of the way in which we interact with other human beings. I wish you a good week. Big hugs. 🙂
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