The Representation of Animalism Issue in Sewell’s Black Beauty

Abstract

—Animalism is a figurative representation of animal images in artistic works. This study examines the animal and human characters' function in Sewell's Black Beauty in portraying animal cruelty and its background effect. Data were collected from the novel Black Beauty and Anna Sewell's biographies and descriptively analyzed. After the analysis, some animal characters in Black Beauty function as the animal victim. The rest were portrayed as gay and mercy animals well-treated by its owner. On the other hand, some human characters functioned as offenders. The rest portrayed kind-hearted fellows fond of animals, stand against abusive acts, and advised others to desist from hurting animals. The result showed that five factors affected Sewell's life background, namely ankle illness, Phillip Sewell, Late Industrial Revolution, Victorian Era, and Crimean War.