Routledge Victorian Pets and Poetry - Nineteenth Century Literature

Explore the deep connection between animals and literature in Victorian era society. This Routledge publication examines how some of the most celebrated poets of the nineteenth century wrote about their pets, ranging from moving tributes to humorous verses. Poetry about pets was a ubiquitous part of the period, serving various social and cultural functions. This book explores how animal welfare organizations used poems about canine and feline suffering in institutional publications to highlight abuses. It also looks at the personal side of Victorian life through elegies and epitaphs written for beloved cats, songbirds, or dogs. These verses appeared in many forms, from mass-produced poetry collections to intimate funeral cards and tombstones. This study provides a unique look at how animal themes functioned within a wider literary context, making it a valuable resource for those interested in nineteenth century history and literary studies.