Animals in the Writings of C. S. Lewis

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Introduction: The Genesis Palimpsest

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 1-29

3. Genesis and Peaceful Coexistence

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 31-60

4. Genesis and Humanity’s Dominion

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 61-111

5. Genesis and Paradise Lost

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 113-138

6. Genesis and Food

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 139-177

7. Genesis and the Animal–Human Community

   • Michael J. Gilmour

   Pages 179-211

8. Back Matter

   Pages 213-219

   PDF

This book examines C. S. Lewis’s writings about animals, and the theological bases of his opposition to vivisection and other cruelties. It argues Genesis is central to many of these ethical musings and the book’s organization reflects this. It treats in turn Lewis’s creative approaches to the Garden of Eden, humanity’s “dominion” over the earth, and the loss of paradise with all the catastrophic consequences for animals it presaged. The book closes looking at Lewis’s vision of a more inclusive community. Though he left no comprehensive summary of his ideas, the Narnia adventures and science fiction trilogy, scattered poems and his popular theology inspire affection and sympathy for the nonhuman. This study challenges scholars to reassess Lewis as not only a literary critic and children’s author but also an animal theologian of consequence, though there is much here for all fans of Mr. Bultitude and Reepicheep to explore.

• animals
• Britain
• Christianity
• ethics
• history of literature
• language
• literature
• moral
• philosophy
• religion
• writing
• British and Irish Literature

• Providence University College, Otterburne, Canada

  Michael J. Gilmour

Michael J. Gilmour is Associate Professor of English Literature and New Testament at Providence University College, Canada. He is a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and the author of Eden’s Other Residents: The Bible and Animals.

Policies and ethics