The Depiction of Dogs in the Works of Francophone Belgian Novelists (Simenon, Muno, and Bertin)
The Depiction of Dogs in the Works of Francophone Belgian Novelists (Simenon, Muno, and Bertin)

Summary/Abstract: This article explores the representation of dogs in Francophone Belgian fiction by three male novelists – Georges Simenon, Jean Muno, and Charles Bertin – while contrasting their works with those of female contemporaries previously studied by Catherine Gravet (Chien 79-100). Through a close textual analysis of L’Homme au petit chien (Simenon), Le Joker (Muno), and Le Voyage d’hiver (Bertin), we investigate whether these authors adopt the “animal’s point of view” (Baratay) and focus on its emotions, understood through the lens of Panksepp’s research on animal emotions in the field of affective neuroscience. We suggest that the three novels concentrate on animal emotions: emotions provoked through dogs (Muno), as well as emotions felt and triggered by dogs (Simenon, Bertin). Ultimately, we show Simenon’s and Bertin’s novels, while still reflecting an anthropomorphising perspective, may be part of a shifting cultural attitude towards animals, highlighting a genuine attempt at acknowledging canine consciousness, subjectivity and affectivity.

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