Posts for : September 2024

By Emanuele De Gasperis

As we observe daily, the anthropocentric vision and the concept of dominance over nature have led humans to treat the entire planet as an object of greed. This distorted relationship, based on the exercise of power over fellow humans and other living beings, reflects a deeper issue. Often addressed both by the media and institutions, the relationship between human and non-human animals is affected by strong biases due to widespread sensitivities and economic interests. Unfortunately, common sense does not always align with sound judgment or current scientific knowledge, while economic interests often clash with the actual needs of living beings, particularly in terms of animal welfare.
First, we must take into consideration that there are different animal species, and our ways of relating to them differ based on individual sensitivities and cultural contexts. We can speak of animals that live more or less freely in nature, that are confined in zoos, species that have now adapted to urban environments, and wild animals forced to seek food in urban centers due to habitat invasion. There are also animals that have been selectively bred or genetically modified for ornamental purposes or used in experimentation and research.
While sensitivities vary, in our everyday lives we tend to experience two extreme and often paradoxical situations in our relationship with other animals. While we witness the commodification and objectification of living beings as production machines, we also anthropomorphize the so-called “pets”, the small companion animals who live with us.
The terms “pet” and “farm animals” epitomize the distortion we face in relation to non-human animals and our lack of respect for animal life. Pets have entered nearly every household and, notwithstanding an increased sensitivity towards them, our limited knowledge and lack of respect for their needs prevent us from recognizing their species-specific traits and individuality.

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By Cosetta Veronese

Written by E. B. White in 1952, Charlotte’s Web continues to rank high in children’s literature. It is a bittersweet story featuring a diverse cast of characters, both human and non-human. It begins at the farm of Mr. Arable, where piglets have just been born. Mr. Arable’s little daughter Fern prevents her father from taking the life of the one runt in the litter, whom she names Wilbur and raises herself.  As Wilbur grows, he is transferred from the Arables to the bigger farm of Fern’s uncle, Mr. Zuckerman, where he befriends other animals – geese, sheep, horses, cows, Templeton the rat, and the spider Charlotte. As the Zuckermans and the farmhand Lurvey plan to butcher Wilbur with the coming of the cold season, Charlotte pledges to save his life by spinning words in her web that celebrate Wilbur’s virtues. Her plan is successful. The phrases “some pig”, “terrific”, “radiant” and “humble” that Charlotte weaves into the web persuade the Zuckermans’ of their pig’s exceptional qualities and everybody marvels at the miracle. This earns Wilbur the first prize at the annual county fair, celebrated at the end of summer. Once the festivities are over and everybody prepares to return to the barn, Charlotte announces that she is close to death and will not be going back. Wilbur promises to care for her eggs and, as spring arrives, hundreds of spiders are born. All of them leave, except for three who decide to stay with him at the barn as a token of friendship.

Charlotte’s Web has been considered a story about life and death, about the inexorable passage of time that marks the life stages of all living creatures, human and non-human alike. The emphasis on nature’s cyclical rhythms – the rhythms of life and death – is evident through the strong sensory (and sensual) appeal of the descriptions.

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