Women as Animals and Human Beings

Women Talking

Animal comparisons reveal the colony’s dehumanization while the women debate what survival, freedom, and moral agency require.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Treated Like Prey Treated Like Prey from "Women Talking". Animal Stories and Harm Greta’s Comparison Greta Loewen says the women have been preyed upon like animals and may need to run.

Treated Like Prey from "Women Talking". Animal Stories and Harm Greta’s Comparison Greta Loewen says the women have been preyed upon like animals and may need to run.

Animal Stories and Harm Greta’s Comparison Greta Loewen says the women have been preyed upon like animals and may need to run. Her analogy recognizes danger while risking a reduced view of the women. Competing Examples Agata Friesen recalls an animal that fights back. The examples refuse a single rule for survival.

A Raccoon Fights Back A Raccoon Fights Back from "Women Talking". The Limits of Flight A Mother Defends Her Young Agata tells how a raccoon returns to protect her surviving babies and kills the dog that attacked them.

A Raccoon Fights Back from "Women Talking". The Limits of Flight A Mother Defends Her Young Agata tells how a raccoon returns to protect her surviving babies and kills the dog that attacked them.

The Limits of Flight A Mother Defends Her Young Agata tells how a raccoon returns to protect her surviving babies and kills the dog that attacked them. The story offers a model of fierce defense. Meaning Remains Open The women disagree about whether the story argues for fighting or leaving. Its point is that survival may take more than one form.

The Animal Question Rejected The Animal Question Rejected from "Women Talking". Dehumanization Named Women and Colony The women compare themselves to animals because they are treated as less safe and less cared for than the colony’s…

The Animal Question Rejected from "Women Talking". Dehumanization Named Women and Colony The women compare themselves to animals because they are treated as less safe and less cared for than the colony’s…

Dehumanization Named Women and Colony The women compare themselves to animals because they are treated as less safe and less cared for than the colony’s livestock. The metaphor indicts the social order. A Demand for Human Recognition Salome Friesen asks why the women should accept that comparison. Her challenge shifts attention from animal nature to the humans who created their conditions.

Instinct and Responsibility Instinct and Responsibility from "Women Talking". What Guides Action Hunger and Fear Ona Friesen asks whether fear and hunger can be the women’s guides.

Instinct and Responsibility from "Women Talking". What Guides Action Hunger and Fear Ona Friesen asks whether fear and hunger can be the women’s guides.

What Guides Action Hunger and Fear Ona Friesen asks whether fear and hunger can be the women’s guides. Mejal Loewen wonders whether animals can find perspective without human direction. Intelligence and Care The discussion refuses to treat instinct as either shameful or sufficient. Human responsibility requires thought as well as bodily knowledge.

Humanity Beyond the Colony Humanity Beyond the Colony from "Women Talking". Choosing a Different Order Not Defined by Use Salome Friesen describes women treated as commodities, while the women’s departure asserts their claims as people…

Humanity Beyond the Colony from "Women Talking". Choosing a Different Order Not Defined by Use Salome Friesen describes women treated as commodities, while the women’s departure asserts their claims as people…

Choosing a Different Order Not Defined by Use Salome Friesen describes women treated as commodities, while the women’s departure asserts their claims as people who decide and care. The animal metaphor turns into a critique of ownership. A Future Not Yet Known The convoy travels with animals and children but refuses to reduce women to either category. Their humanity is expressed through responsibility, thought, and choice.

June 6, 2009, at the beginning of the debate

June 6, 2009, during Agata’s animal story

June 6, 2009, during the discussion of liberation

June 6, 2009, during the debate about fear

June 7, 2009, as the women prepare to leave