Article Title
Abstract
Tales all the way from Grimms’ The Frog Princess to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia all tell us that there is more subtext to animals in literature than we realize. They can represent the meaning of family, as in the werewolves in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, or the character of our soul, as in the Harry Potter series. I will touch on each of these elements while centering on George MacDonald’s view of animals as representing one of God’s miracles, amazingly similar to humans in their feeble nature and yet just as capable of being redeemed in the end. Matthew 15:27 says, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” MacDonald, taking this verse to heart, shows us the extent of God’s love and mercy for every one of his creation.
Recommended Citation
Stanifer, Laura
(2010)
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm: An Exploration of Animal Literature and its Subtext through the Theology of George MacDonald,"
Inklings Forever: Published Colloquium Proceedings 1997-2016: Vol. 7, Article 22.
Available at:
https://pillars.taylor.edu/inklings_forever/vol7/iss1/22
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