Developing Empathy through Literature: Interspecies Relationship in „La Mirada de Humilda” by Alonso Sánchez Baute
Developing Empathy through Literature: Interspecies Relationship in „La Mirada de Humilda” by Alonso Sánchez Baute

Summary/Abstract: Alonso Sánchez Baute’s La Mirada de Humilda (Humilda’s Gaze) (2022) is a book about the interspecies relationship between the writer and his dog, Humilda, West Highland White Terrier. It tells a story of a friendship of two beings who observe, support and love each other and who are made to say goodbye one day. The aim of this article is to explore how Sánchez Baute’s book may shape the reader’s engagement with the text, how it fosters a sense of simulative empathy, enabling readers to emotionally connect with the canine’s experiences and the human–dog relationship depicted in the novel; how it enhances the emotional depth and appeal of the story, offering unique insights into the interspecies bond. To explore the abovementioned themes, the impact of the companion species on a human being will be analyzed, along with their communication and the process of grieving after the dog’s death.

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