Black Beauty: Anthropomorphism 1 key example

Sewell’s choice to use an anthropomorphic narrator is a crucial component of the novel's instructive narrative on animal rights. Black Beauty can advocate for the proper treatment of horses in a unique way: because he is a horse. Rather than being “dumb beasts,” as they are called several times in the novel, the horses have rich inner lives and distinct personalities. This makes the reader engage with the idea that horses might have desires, feel pain, and experience fear as intensely as they themselves do. Horses like Captain, Ginger, and Merrylegs, in particular, are portrayed as characters who develop and change just as human characters would. They have distinct character traits and make informed choices. They have experiences and histories just as varied and profound as those of humans. This portrayal allows for a richer, deeper narrative where horses aren't mere beasts of burden.

Instead, Sewell’s book shows them to be sentient beings capable of emotions, thoughts, and understanding. Through this anthropomorphic lens, Sewell artfully makes the audience more receptive and sympathetic to the experiences of other creatures. The novel’s consistent use of anthropomorphism challenges preconceived Victorian notions about the intelligence of working animals.