Lon Chaney Jr. in The Wolf Man (1941)
Does he look as if wants a veggie burger?
Does he look as if wants a veggie burger?
There are many ways of responding to D. H. Lawrence's lycanthropic longing for individuals in joyful possession of the sharp and vivid teeth of wolves with which to defend themselves and devour their prey.
One might, for example, smile and dismiss the whole thing as an absurd fantasy. Or one could seriously explore the possibility of human-animal hybrids and discuss developments in trans-species science, including xenotransplantation; who knows what dentists will be able to offer in the future?
But what one can't do is pretend that Lawrence's werewolfism as a vital expression of sensual, savage being, can be squared with the moral philosophy of veganism which abhors animal cruelty and exploitation and promotes a plant-based diet that is totally free from all forms of meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy products, eggs, and even honey.
To do that is, at best, disingenuous - and David Brock's suggestion that vegans lustfully savour and even savage their food ... tearing at the flesh and seeds of a pomegranite, is, frankly, even more ludicrous than the thought of a Lawrentian lycanthrope prowling around Eastwood with 2" fangs and looking for a kiss.
Finally, it might be noted that wolves, unlike domestic dogs that have co-evolved alongside humans, cannot survive on a plant-based diet, as they don't possess the genes necessary to break down starches.
In other words, they need red meat and one would imagine that this would also be true of a werewolf, which, if I remember my European folklore and cinematic fiction correctly, is driven by an irresistible urge to kill and never howls beneath the full moon in want of a salad.
Notes
This post is written in response to a series of comments made by the former editor of the D. H. Lawrence Society Newsletter, David Brock (aka Badger), that he kindly shared at the end of an earlier piece on Lawrence and dental morphology: click here.
This post is written in response to a series of comments made by the former editor of the D. H. Lawrence Society Newsletter, David Brock (aka Badger), that he kindly shared at the end of an earlier piece on Lawrence and dental morphology: click here.
A sister post to this one, in which I discuss the work of literary scholar Catherine Brown on Lawrence and veganism, can be read by clicking here.
Without making this a recommendation for all, there are many decendants of wolves throughout the land doing just fine on a diet of 'Happidog'!
ReplyDeleteAnd, clearly Stephen has never witnessed a large group of vegans descend upon the vegan menu of Wetherspoon's, or in one of a growing number of vegan cafes and restaurants, following a several hour long stint at an Animal Save vigil, a fur demo, an anti-vivisection protest, or whatever valiant campaign they've been involved with.
And vegans are every bit as wily as wolves, when out in the wilderness protecting setts during the governments unjustified cull of badgers (due to begin again soon!). And it's said they pounce with incredible ferocity on any traps they may find - or are prepared to look down the barrel of any rifle, with fierce eyes and with a courage beyond that of any leader of a pack. The cull zones are a battle-ground.
Therefore, yes, unseen, in their lair they do deservedly tear at the flesh of fruit, vegetable, nuts, seeds, anything that's cruelty-free, with an appetite earned through work well done - it's only 'ludicrous' to ever imagine otherwise.