A Discussion of Speciesism and Cannibalism in Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender is the Flesh

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Tarih

2024

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Yayıncı

Knowledge Hub Publishing Company Limited (Hong Kong)

Erişim Hakkı

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Özet

This article explores the representation of cannibalism in a contemporary Argentinian novels and reveal how the motif is employed as one of humans’ ultimate fears: to be treated like animals. As anthropocentric point of view inevitably enables speciesism, and since through similar hierarchical structures, humans justify their domination over each other through class stratification, the discriminatory discourses that perpetuate human aggression towards humans and animals do not stem from completely distinct psychological processes. Justification of violence, mass massacres, killing and exploiting animals, their transformation into normative human behavior requires the utilization of very similar defense mechanisms. Tender is the Flesh presents a world where animal meat becomes inedible after a pandemic and animal agriculture is transformed into a cannibalistic business. Humans who are raised for meat are called heads. Cannibalism and its maintenance, and the language used to refer to the practice are closely monitored by an autocratic government, and the cognitive dissonance people might experience as a result of their participation in a violent process is kept under control. The article provides a close reading of the novel by highlighting how cannibalism is rendered normal and natural through psychological mechanisms such as dehumanization, objectification, and deindividualization. © 2024 Knowledge Hub Publishing Company Limited (Hong Kong). All rights reserved.

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Anahtar Kelimeler

anthropocentricism, Argentinian literature, Critical Animal Studies, dehumanization, dystopia

Kaynak

Forum for World Literature Studies

WoS Q Değeri

Scopus Q Değeri

Q1

Cilt

16

Sayı

1

Künye