Images of Animals

The exploration of animal behavior through literature reveals significant differences in interpretation, as seen in the contrasting views of Darwin and Barnett. Eileen Crist analyzes how language shapes perceptions of animals, transforming them from sentient beings into mere objects. By comparing naturalist writings with classical ethology and contemporary sociobiology, she illustrates that each perspective influences the reader's understanding of animal minds. Crist challenges the idea of neutral language in describing animal behavior, asserting that language is inherently subjective and impactful.