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by Jay Gross
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Looking for some clever zoomorphism examples to inspire your writing?
Or maybe you’re just wondering what the heck zoomorphism even is?
Either way, we’ve got your back.
In today’s post, we’ll cover zoomorphism from head to tail. First, we’ll kick things off with a super-simple zoomorphism definition and share a few reasons why writers use it in their work.
From there, we’ll dive into some mind-blowing zoomorphism examples to help you crank up the wild side of your creativity.
Let’s do this.
Zoomorphism is a literary device that refers to giving animal features and qualities to humans, gods, spirits, and an inanimate object (anything that’s not human).
It also includes giving the features of one animal form to another.
Like a metaphor, zoomorphism can inject your writing with imagination and make it come to life. It adds vivid imagery and compelling descriptions of different characters, people, and objects.
Using it creates figurative language simply and naturally, giving the reader a clear view in their mind.
Let’s say you introduced a new character. Comparing the new character’s features, movements, or characteristics to an animal style helps the reader better understand the character with a few vivid words, which is challenging to achieve in strictly human-centric storytelling.
Throughout history, many authors and poets have used zoomorphism to tell their stories or create more relatable characters.
Let’s look at some of the many examples in mythology, folklore, religion, classical and current literature.
But don’t you go thinking current literature has forgotten about this literary device.
Here’s a modern example from author Yann Martin from Life of Pi:
“It came as an unmistakable indication to me of how low I had sunk the day I noticed, with a pinching of the heart, that I ate like an animal, that this noisy, frantic unchewing wolfing-down of mine was exactly the way Richard Parker ate.”
With the use of “ate like an animal” and “wolfing-down,” Martel paints a raw and animalistic picture of someone ripping and tearing into their food ravenously with just a few powerful words.
And “exactly the way Richard Parker ate” further solidifies this with a metaphorical zoomorphism, comparing his eating to that of a tiger — Richard Parker is a tiger.
And how about this example from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:
“…Mrs. Weasley shoved Harry away towards the train door, hissing, ‘For heaven’s sake, act more like a dog, Sirius!’”
Rowling’s use of “hissing” signifies an infuriated snake. That single word makes you feel the seething anger in Mrs. Weasley’s voice.
Leave it to the bard himself, William Shakespeare, to use zoomorphism to its fullest, often dehumanizing individuals, or painting them as something subhuman in his dramatic poetry, to powerful effect.
A great example is in The Tempest, where he dehumanizes Caliban as:
Here’s another terrific example of zoomorphism in poetry:
Here the Lord is compared to the beast’s tempered rage and noble kindness.
In poetry, where every word carries great significance, it’s clear how just two or three words can dramatically affect how you see an individual.
Zoomorphism is littered throughout pop culture, probably none more glaring than the characters that have dominated the box office lately. That’s right, superheroes. Of course, most of them got their start in what used to be a “geeky” hobby of mine — the world of comics.
So, what better place to start.
Comic book authors must have a blast creating human characters with animal qualities.
The names say it all:
And as we know, this underground hobby has exploded into the movie and T.V. landscape now too.
Sure, we could double-dip into superheroes here, but instead, let’s look elsewhere for examples in T.V. and movies.
Sometimes they’re in-your-face and directly in the title itself:
Other times, great writers reach deep into their literary bag of tricks and get deeply zoomorphic on us:
I grew up on classic video games. If I had known what zoomorphism was — I didn’t — I would have seen excellent examples in a couple of my favorites:
Seriously, who can forget gliding and spinning with Raccoon Mario:
I’m a music buff, but I had no idea how much zoomorphism there is in music.
For example, look at some of the artists’ names:
Or on the tracklist:
But like zoomorphism in poetry, music sometimes uses it to convey profound meaning in just a few words, like in this Maroon 5 diddy, Animals:
“Baby, I’m preying on you tonight, hunt you down, eat you alive, just like animals.
Maybe you think that you can hide. I can smell your scent for miles, Just like animals.”
Maroon 5’s lead singer uses stellar zoomorphic/animal imagery — prey on, hunt, and eat alive — to describe his relationship with his partner.
Let’s take a look at another classic, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor:
“It’s the eye of the tiger. It’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger.”
Check out the full video here (you know you can’t resist):
And finally, we’ve got the catchiest cartoon theme song of the ‘60s — and a shining example of zoomorphism — Spider-Man:
“Spider-Man, Spider-Man,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web any size,
Catches thieves, just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman!”
Like alliteration and metaphors, we often use zoomorphic everyday language and don’t even think of it.
Here are some you’ve probably heard:
Can you think of any that you’ve heard recently?
After reading this you’ll start to see zoomorphism everywhere you look.
A great example of this is in zoomorphic architecture, where animalistic features inspire part of the or form a literal part of the design or act as the inspiration:
While zoomorphism involves giving animal qualities to humans or an inanimate object, anthropomorphism is a literary technique that involves giving human characteristics to animals or objects — thinking, talking, or behaving as humans.
They’re virtual opposites.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is an excellent example of anthropomorphism
A couple more you’ll recognize:
Related Reading: 9 Anthropomorphism Examples (+ Writing Tips & Video Clips)
Zoomorphism gives animal characteristics to humans or objects, while personification (much like anthropomorphism) gives animals or objects human characteristics — having human emotions or feelings.
Examples of personification:
Related Reading: 21 Personification Examples (+ Definition & Related Terms)
Are you making sense of zoomorphism (and its opposing literary devices?)
Do you notice it around you more and more?
It’s everywhere.
If you’re keen to start using them, here’s what I recommend:
Bookmark this article and come back anytime. Read through it again and again.
Suddenly, you’ll begin using it, and you’ll see the vivid imagery you easily add to your writing.
Next thing you know, you’ll write wildly popular blog posts, gain a massive following, and launch your e-book to thousands of readers waiting to snap it up.
And you’ll be the bee’s knees.
Literary Devices, Writing
Jay Gross