'동물리터러시’로 본 「목넘이 마을의 개」의 특징

Abstract

This paper presents a novel analysis of Hwang Soon-won's novel "The Dog of Moknumee Village" by establishing the concept and scope of animal literacy. Animal literacy refers to the ability or perspective to understand knowledge and information about animals, empathize with them, analyze them, and sometimes critically understand and practice these insights. The analysis of the text led to the following conclusions. First, the novel demonstrates that a lack of basic knowledge and understanding of animals can have severe negative consequences, potentially depriving humans of their centered thinking, perception, and even life itself. This highlights the critical importance of how humans view, perceive, and interact with animals, directly relating to the issue of life itself. Second, the possibility of emotional communication between dogs and humans was explored. The study found that even in the absence of intimate contact, communication between humans and dogs is achievable through mutual gaze. Third, addressing or resolving animal-related issues is a crucial aspect of contemporary animal literacy. Grandfather Gannan exemplifies this well, as he chose the best approach for Sindong and, most importantly, took action to resolve the issue. This study provides a new perspective on "The Dog of Moknumee Village" through the concept of animal literacy, thereby expanding the research methodologies in animal literature. Furthermore, it confirms the potential of literary works to serve as a foundation for research in human-animal studies.