The use of animals in literature can be seen all throughout history. Anthropomorphism is a pervasive element of literature, employed by many different authors, of many different genres, to imply many different things, usually some sort of social criticism. According the American Heritage Dictionary, anthropomorphism is “the attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.” From Aesop’s Fables to Winnie-the-Pooh to Animal Farm, and everything in between, authors have used the animal kingdom as a way of saying that which human characters cannot. Everything about these characters, from the actual animal chosen, to the manner in which they speak, to the lessons that they learn and teach, reveals a great deal about the author’s purpose for writing the story. It is very rare that a children’s or adolescent’s book is simply a sweet tale; in fact, quite often, there is some pervasive commentary that author is striving to convey. These lessons range from an ideal set of morals in Aesop’s Fables, to a comment on certain undesirable human characteristics in Winnie-the-Pooh, to a criticism of the current political standing in Animal Farm. They say that people ar

The book begins in the barnyard of Mr. Jones' "Manor Farm". The animals congregate at a meeting led by the prize white boar, Major. Major points out to the assembled animals that no animal in England is free. He further explains that the products of their labor is stolen by man, who alone benefits. Man, in turn, gives back to the animals the bare minimum, which will keep them from starvation while he profits from the rest. The old boar tells them that the source of all their problems is man, and that they must remove man from their midst to abolish tyranny and hunger.

One of the first recorded instances of anthropomorphism in literature is Aesop’s Fables. There is not much known about Aesop, other than that which others have recorded. He has become somewhat of a mythical figure, in which certain things are simply attributed to him, much like many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. What is known is that most likely, he was born a slave in the 6th century B.C. It is believed that he gained his freedom from slavery as a reward for his learning and wit. One of the privileges of a freed man was the permission to take an active interest in public affairs, and Aesop did just that. It is said that at one time he was found in Corinth, and at another in Athens, endeavoring, by the narration of some of his wise fables, to reconcile the inhabitants of those cities to the administration of their respective rulers Periander and Pisistratus. Somehow, throughout history, these fables were recorded, and have remained just as prevalent in today’s society as they were over 2,000 years ago.

Tigger is the antithesis of Piglet. He believes he can do anything, and better than everyone else. “ ‘ Can Tiggers swim?’ ‘Of course they can. Tiggers can do anything.’ Can they climb trees better than pooh? Asked Roo, stopping underneath the tallest pine tree and looking up at it. Climbing trees is what they do best,’ said Tigger. ‘Much better than poohs.’”(Milne, 63). When Tigger gets stuck in the tree with Roo, and cannot get down, he must accept the help of his friends. Just like Christopher Robin must learn that while it’s good to have confidence, one must not go overboard, and that it is always okay to ask for help.