Animorphism
Animorphism is the ability of a character to transform into an animal, either completely or partially. It is a common trope in fiction, appearing in books, movies, TV shows, and video games.
There are different ways that animorphism is depicted in fiction. In some cases, the transformation is involuntary, caused by magic, a curse, or some other supernatural force.[1] In some cases, the transformation is voluntary, and the character has the ability to control it.
Depiction
The way that animorphism is depicted can also vary depending on the genre of fiction. In fantasy stories, animorphism is often used to allow characters to gain special powers or abilities. For example, a character who can transform into a bird might be able to fly, while a character who can transform into a wolf might be stronger and more agile.
In realistic fiction, animorphism is often used to explore themes of identity and belonging. A character who can transform into an animal might feel like they don't belong in either the human or animal world. This can lead to conflict and drama, as the character tries to find their place in the world.
Animorphism can also be used for humor. In some comedies, characters might transform into animals as a way to escape from a difficult situation. For example, a character might turn into a mouse to avoid being caught by a cat. Its presence in fiction explores the human-animal connection.[2] Animorphism is versatile and can be used to explore well-known themes in fiction such as: identity,[3] belonging, magic, and humor. It is a popular trope in fiction as a way to create characters that appear both relatable and realistic, yet remain at its core, fantastical. It has also been used as a fictional tool to drive considerations about wider issues relating to animal rights.[4][5]
Types of transformation
- Physical transformation: When a character transforms into an animal.[6]
- Mental transformation: When a character transforms into an animal, their mental state may also gradually take on the animalistic traits.[7] The character may take on the animal's instincts, behaviors, and abilities. For example, a character who transforms into a wolf may start to howl and hunt for food. Or it could be a case of their minds transforming into animalistic behaviors without physical transformations taking place, though this is less commonly used.
- Skills and abilities: The character may also gain the skills and abilities of the animal they transform into. For example, a character who transforms into a bird may be able to fly. This can be helpful for the character in their adventures.
- Origins of transformation: The transformation may originate from either scientific or mystical reasons. Scientific transformations are often caused by technology or genetic engineering, like Wolverine in X-Men.[8] Mystical transformations are often caused by magic or curses.
References
- ↑ Reddleman, Claire (2015-05-04). "Vampires, Foetuses and Ventriloquism: Metaphor as a Representational Strategy in Capital Volume 1". Socialism and Democracy. 29 (2): 25–40. doi:10.1080/08854300.2015.1037604. ISSN 0885-4300.
- ↑ Posthumous Life: Theorizing Beyond the Posthuman. Columbia University Press. 2017. doi:10.7312/wein17214.5?searchtext=animorphism&searchuri=/action/dobasicsearch?query=animorphism&ab_segments=0/basic_search_gsv2/control&refreqid=fastly-default:8f6e6d5bf526cadedfb2fdb88eadce15. ISBN 978-0-231-17214-1. Search this book on
- ↑ Anderson, Nicole (2020). "Humanimal Politics". Mosaic: An Interdisciplinary Critical Journal. 53 (2): 125–137. ISSN 0027-1276.
- ↑ Bogna, Konior (2018-01-24). "Animorphism in the anthropocene: nonhuman personhood in activist art practice" (PDF). HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY. Retrieved 2023-08-08 – via Google Scholar.
- ↑ LeeAnn, Derdeyn (2018-11-26). "Trauma and the Anthropocene: Fear and Loathing in Helen Macdonald's H is for Hawk". academic.oup.com. ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment. pp. 767–785. Retrieved 2023-08-09. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Fox, Charlotte (2022). ""Reclaiming" Tradition: An Exploration of Literary Influence in Helen Macdonald's H Is for Hawk". Journal of Modern Literature. 45 (2): 1–14. ISSN 1529-1464.
- ↑ Martel, Yann; Malreddy, Pavan Kumar (2022-08-01). "The CounterText Interview: Yann Martel". CounterText. 8 (2): 245–261. doi:10.3366/count.2022.0269. ISSN 2056-4406 – via Countertext.
- ↑ "All 23 Super Soldiers Created In The MCU (Not Just Captain America)". ScreenRant. 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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