Contradictory Representation of Animals as Friends and Enemies: A Study of Modern Nepali Fictions

Abstract

This research project entitled “Contradictory Representation of Animals as Friends and Enemies: A Study of Modern Nepali Fictions”explores the opposing roles of animals in Narayan Wagle’s Mayur Times, Rudraraj Pandey’s Rupamati, Amar Neaupane’s Seto Dharati, Dharmendra Bikram Nembang’s Rato Bagh, Lainsingh Bangdel’s Langadako Sathi, Nayanraj Pandey’s Ullar, Bijaya Malla’s Anuradha, and Dhurba Sapkota’s Akalpaniya. In these fictions, animals have metaphorically been used.At times, they become objects for daily assumption in the best interests of humans. Other times, they become objects of comforts and luxury. Novels project human-centric visions while the animals are sidelined and denigrated. Lack of modest deportment is strongly noticed throughout these fictional works. In that way,humans have been glorified while animals are undermined.In them, glorification and magnification of animals are all human centric, rather than ecologically justified. This challenges the notion of ecology under abroad-spectrum of nature.The first two chapters square the human-animal relation in crisis by using animals as metaphors, symbols, and proverbs. Even if the animals represent loyalty, honesty, connectivity, togetherness, and affinity with the people in nature, humans in the fictions challenge these values.Man's anthropocentric vision in the use of animal metaphors as foes and friends replicate how humans intend to conquer and control other species in the same ecological chain.In that line, modern Nepali fictions portray bio-centric and anthropocentric assumption between humans and animals. More clearly, the fictions represent harmony and disharmony. Chapter III and IV prove human-animal relational contradictions of our societies through the lens of characters’ reactions.This thesis clearly illustrates contradictory representation of animals as