Experiencing dystopia through Umwelt: Modelling the nonhuman animal in Hollow Kingdom

NORLEDGE, JESSICA

Abstract

The experience of nonhuman animals is typically neglected in dystopian fiction, particularly as concerns the experiences of domestic pets. The presence of such creatures in dystopia is often notable only by their absence, with animal life (or the lack thereof) being a characteristic, albeit peripheral, marker of social or environmental loss. In recent years, however, authors have been increasingly drawn to the role of animals in the end times, presenting dystopian worlds from the perspective of animal characters. Exploring the projection of nonhuman consciousness in contemporary dystopia, I look to investigate this phenomenon, focusing on the modelling of animal minds in Hollow Kingdom. Drawing upon the work of Caracciolo and Herman, I analyse the presentation of animal narration, exploring how we attribute consciousness to nonhuman characters and how, in turn, the conceptualisation of Hollow Kingdom is given texture as a result of the animal voices, perceptions and attitudes it presents.

Citation

NORLEDGE, J. (2022). Experiencing dystopia through Umwelt: Modelling the nonhuman animal in Hollow Kingdom. English Studies, 103(3), 386-406

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 9, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 29, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 29, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 18, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2022
• Journal: English Studies
• Print ISSN: 0013-838X
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-4217
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 103
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 386-406
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/13752223
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0013838X.2022.2043003