The Lives of Animals

Analyze The Lives of Animals as an allegory. How do the scenes of the text function differently when read as an allegory for the importance of literature? What is the relationship between humans and animals an allegory for?

Discuss the analogy between the Holocaust and animal cruelty. Is it an accurate analogy? Why or why not? Does this analogy have any basis in the novel’s themes, literary allusions, or symbols and motifs?

Compare and contrast Elizabeth and Coetzee. What is Elizabeth’s goal? What is Coetzee’s goal? How can we infer Coetzee’s aims through his writing?

Identify the connection or disconnection between the first and second lecture. Do the two lectures work together or work against each other?

Analyze the frame narration device. How does the frame narration impact the story? How do John’s biases affect the narrative that readers receive?

Compare and contrast Elizabeth’s and O’Hearne’s views during the debate. What underlying, unspoken values drive both debaters? How do these values manifest in their arguments?

Examine the story through the context of the science wars of the 1990s. How does the novella’s origin as metafictional lectures shape its contributions to the science wars?

Discuss the role of family dysfunction in the story. How does the dysfunction affect Elizabeth’s lectures? How does it impact Norma’s and John’s reactions to Elizabeth’s visit and her lectures? Why do you think the author chose to include dysfunction families and power as a primary theme instead of solely focusing on Elizabeth’s lectures and debate?