Anthropomorphic Imagery of Animals (Dragons and Horses) in the Works of Michael ende and C. S. Lewis

Abstract

For several centuries, anthropomorphism has been a common feature used in fantastic literature; our interest in giving animals and objects human traits – clothing them, making them talk – has influenced the arts. Hence, animals have been typically used to perpetuate morals and humour the readers. Moreover, anthropomorphism’s role in children’s literature has made possible to call for its readers’ attention to grown-up matters allowing them to maintain a certain distance and explore the concerns at hand without getting too involved. Bearing that in mind, the purpose of this study is to explore the role of two kinds of anthropomorphic animals, fantastic and real, to see how these animals intervene in the quest and learnings of the heroes and to understand what lessons they might convey to the readers. In order to do so, the following dissertation will contrast and examine two dragons and two horses from three novels; Artax and Falkor from The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and Bree and Eustace from C.S. Lewis’ collection The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Subsequently, the scrutiny of the relationship between animals and heroes – observing how it develops and affects either the quest, the hero or both - will show that dragons and horses equally serve their masters/friends, function as a guiding voice of reason and encouragement and are incredibly loyal. Furthermore, it is confirmed that anthropomorphism does help morals get through the readers, teaching them about change, death, braveness, among other values.