The essay connects literary studies and animal studies.
Literature shapes how humans think about and imagine animals.
Animals in literature are shown as tropes—figures that carry human meanings.
This course explores Mario Ortiz-Robles’s essay “What is it Like to Be a Trope?” from Literature and Animal Studies, which examines how animals function in literary texts as figures of thought and imagination. The essay investigates how literature represents animals not as real beings but as tropes—symbols or metaphors that carry human meanings. Through this idea, Ortiz-Robles connects literary studies and animal studies, showing how language shapes the human understanding of animals and the natural world.
Students will learn how literature both reflects and constructs the human–animal relationship, how tropes influence cultural attitudes toward animals, and why the act of representing animals in stories raises ethical and philosophical questions. The course encourages reading with empathy, critical awareness, and sensitivity to the limits of human imagination in portraying nonhuman life.
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Dr. S. Pravinkumar is an accomplished academic with a robust background in English literature, specializing in Indian Writing in English, Diasporic Literature, and Feminism. With over eight years of teaching experience, he currently serves as an Assistant Professor of English at G. Venkataswamy Naidu College in Kovilpatti. Dr. Pravinkumar holds a Ph.D. from Madurai Kamaraj University, where his research focused on the depiction of women in the novels of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. He also earned his M.Phil and M.A. in English Literature from the same university, demonstrating a consistent academic excellence throughout his studies. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Pravinkumar has made significant contributions to scholarly literature. He has published numerous articles in reputed national and international journals, exploring themes such as identity, migration, cultural dilemmas, and the portrayal of societal issues in literature. His works often delve into the intricacies of diasporic experiences and the struggles of women in various cultural contexts. Dr. Pravinkumar is actively involved in academic services beyond teaching. He has organized workshops, attended numerous conferences and symposia, and guided M.A. projects, further enriching the academic community with his expertise. His dedication to innovative teaching methods and commitment to fostering critical thinking in students is evident in his career objective. With excellent communication skills and a fluency in English, Dr. Pravinkumar is adept at both individual and team-based work. His interests in novels and professional skills in teaching English grammar complement his academic pursuits, making him a well-rounded educator and scholar.
