Other perspectives: the representation of animals in the poetry of Thomson, Smart, Cowper and Burns

Thesis

This thesis will critically examine the animal poems of James Thomson, Christopher Smart, William Cowper, and Robert Burns. Even though there is an extended body of scholarly work on these poets, little consideration has been given to their attitude towards nonhumans. I will argue these poems are founded on a Lockean epistemology that guarantees their representations of animals are faithful to their real-life counterparts because they are derived from first-hand experience. This poetic authenticity is further enhanced by allowing nonhumans to represent themselves via their creaturely voices. The corporeal and vocal signs these sentient creatures make testify to their rational agency. Both these forms of representation are types of advocacy and, as such, can be understood as appeals for compassionate treatment. These poets feel justified in promoting this position as they adhere to a theological belief that God loves all His creations. Thus, benevolence for animals is a universal truth derived from a transcendental authority. In advancing this idea, Thomson, Smart, Cowper, and Burns manifestly refute Descartes’s claim that animals are machines; instead, they portray nonhumans as active agents. Consequently, these poets actively participated in a cross-disciplinary debate on the status of nonhumans in the eighteenth century. This period was pivotal in challenging assumptions about the interaction between animals and man.

A contextual overview of key critical concepts that shaped the conversation on animals will be undertaken to understand this correlation. This approach will help situate these poems within the discourse on nonhumans and chart those texts that influenced them.

Authors: Hay, M

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-er7zeae77
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: eighteenth century; Robert Burns; poetry; William Cowper; corporeal signs; creaturely voice; animal ethics; Christopher Smart; James Thomson; John Locke
• Subjects: Literature