Zoocriticism :
Zoocriticism is the subdisciplinary branch of Ecocritical studies which deals with the animal world in terms of interaction with human society. This theory projects animals and humans as two binaries, similar to the male-female binaries of Feminism and coloniser-colonised binaries of Postcolonialism. Human beings were also animals but with their rationality they evolved as the intelligent man who occupies the central stage in the world, marginalising all other creatures by dominating them. Animals are “Other” for mankind and the anthropocentric worldview along with the Enlightenment theory preached that all kinds of bestiality are to be removed to attain pure humanity, thereby substandardizing the animalistic.
A tendency of animal-linked racism can be noticed in the subjugation of the underprivileged. This is evident from the merciless animalistic treatment of black slaves in America. The exploitation by affluent communities reduces both poor people and animals to mutual rivalry where each harms the other. Representation of animals in science, literature, religion and discourse account for their association with mostly underrated qualities.
