Of all the animal subjects of human anthropomorphism, cats are among some of the most blatantly personified. We see in cats a human sassy-ness and individuality that isn’t really obvious in too many other day to day creatures, as dogs, for example, seem to possess qualities more along the lines of eagerness to please and loyalty to group or a family. While there are certainly instances in which cats are stripped of what Alice Walker might choose call their “catness,” there are also moments in which they are portrayed almost unintentionally equally to humans, but in a distinctly cat-ish way. The example that I would like to use is one of many animal videos on youtube labeled “Funny cat compilation” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmnyORo_slM. Give it a quick watch.
At a first glance, this could seem to many as a demeaning representation of cats. These cats are doing things that are downright stupid for the most part. Pouncing on things that aren’t alive, trying to play a guitar, etc. With the wrong point of view, it could seem as though the objective of this video was to further hoist ourselves as humans onto an even higher pedestal than the one we already seem to occupy above animals. I would argue, however, that this video is in many respects one of the truest examples of a human appreciation of cats for exactly the animals that they are, just expressed in the context of a human habitat.
The age old characteristics of cats that we have objectively known to be true, such as curiosity, physical balance, and slyness are seen to fail in some way. Yet, in spite of this failure, what is really happening when we choose to laugh at videos such as these is a deep appreciation for an animal that we have dared to consider one of our greatest companions as a race over the years. Without really bestowing our own characteristics on the cat, we watch it try and fail to do cat things. There really is a whole lot of good in what I would call a symbiotic relationship between humans and domesticated pets. I would go as far as to say it’s a pretty beautiful thing at times. However naive that may seem, I wasn’t feeling cynical today.
I found it interesting that you chose a cat compilation video to analyze in a serious way. I never really took the time to actually view these videos as just appreciating cats for the things they do in their daily lives, and more of saw it as humor. I really enjoyed your final statements about the symbiotic relationship between humans and domesticated animals. Good post!
Thanks Abigail!
I really enjoyed the way in which you found a positive message from these videos! Since reading Berger and Walker, I have found myself looking for negative ideas in images of animals. However, you made me realize that some images may also portray a more positive view of animals. Great thoughts!
I think the child hitting the cat is problematic. What does it say about parents that let that happen? The child doesn’t know it’s wrong. And then they stand by while the cat swipes at the child?