Few twentieth-century writers addressed the mistreatment of animals as directly and repeatedly as Roald Dahl did in his fiction. It seems that few considered it as an important subject to deal with. But the truth is that an author known for his books dedicated to children did it quite a lot, at a time when intellectuals spent their time on other issues…
Roald Dahl, the famous English writer, is a mythical figure nowadays. Although he is no longer as popular as his colleague J. K. Rowling, his stories have not ceased to resonate around the world. Everywhere, people know about *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* and the famous *Matilda*.
But the topic we are going to deal with here is about the treatment given to animals in some of his texts, especially a beautiful story titled “The Boy Who Talked to Animals”.
Dahl was characterized for being an inclement person in his stories, the acts of his characters have serious consequences in his stories, it is very evident when reading his stories for adults, which do not carry the same level of innocence that his children’s stories have.
This happens several times when there are people in his universes who dare to hurt animals without any justification, or who resort to certain tricks to take advantage of them. One example is the odious dog racing industry, which Dahl presents as a practice in England where animals can be exploited for human entertainment and profit.
But the most beautiful thing is the message that is shown in his texts. Abusing truly innocent creatures is something that will always end badly for those who perpetrate these acts.
The story mentioned above does not have a conclusion in which everything ends in a terrible way for the villains, even better, it narrates the victory of love and compassion.
Without revealing too much of the plot, “The Boy Who Talked to Animals” follows a boy with a supernatural ability to communicate with animals. The story takes place in a tropical setting, an emblematic environment where other species have been abused without compassion or restraint.
Dahl shows us how most people are completely ignorant about respect for other species, how they consider an act of cruelty as something to celebrate, to rejoice at the dismemberment of a living being. It seems strange to no one, not even to the narrator himself, who tells the story without a hint of disgust or horror.
Now, what does seem completely out of the ordinary to them is that someone would oppose this, as if fighting to defend a life is something irrational, outlandish. Barbarism has always been seen as normalized, but the defense of the lives of other animals is completely astounding.
And even if Dahl’s main theme is not animal abuse, this kind of approach makes it seem truly cruel to children, to treat other species so unfairly is truly horrifying. There’s no point in doing it, it’s completely unnecessary.
The story challenges the belief that abusing defenseless animals is admirable or represents a heroic feat. Instead, Dahl suggests that cruelty reveals the moral failure of those who celebrate it. Just as millionaire hunters go on their scheduled hunts to kill lions a mile away.
Dahl shows us, and the children, that animals are indeed beings that deserve respect far beyond our ignorance. That the future belongs to far more spiritually and mentally advanced humans who fiercely oppose such crimes.
Abolition is the imminent future.
I’d really recommed this story to be read to children, so they know how to be compassionate, and find the beauty and magic in being kind to animals.
Sources
- El Niño que Hablaba con los Animales (hablarconlosanimales.blogspot.com)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQkz_X1Rg60&ab_channel=TellingTaleswithCarlAshmore
‘Incomprehensible’: Roald Dahl’s family apologises for 1983 remarks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIRI4F-KKSo&ab_channel=XavierVasco
- https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/4766/476655656007.pdf
- https://www.elmundo.es/especiales/roald-dahl/index.html
- https://www.behance.net/gallery/4351395/The-Boy-Who-Talked-With-Animals
FAQ
Q: Who wrote “The Boy Who Talked to Animals”?
A: “The Boy Who Talked to Animals” was written by Roald Dahl, the English author known for children’s books such as *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* and *Matilda*. The post examines how Dahl uses the story to explore compassion toward animals and opposition to cruelty.
Q: What message does Roald Dahl convey about animals in the story?
A: Dahl suggests that animals are sentient beings who deserve respect and protection. The story challenges the idea that harming defenseless creatures can be treated as entertainment, celebration, or an impressive achievement.
Q: How does the story portray people who abuse animals?
A: The post explains that Dahl presents unjustified cruelty toward animals as morally wrong and ultimately self-defeating. It also criticizes the way harmful practices, including animal exploitation and dog racing, can become normalized while defending an animal’s life is treated as unusual.
Q: Is “The Boy Who Talked to Animals” suitable for children?
A: The post recommends reading the story to children because it can encourage compassion, kindness, and respect for other species. However, its depiction of animal abuse may require discussion with younger readers so they can understand the story’s ethical message.
Q: What is the central theme of “The Boy Who Talked to Animals”?
A: Its central theme is the importance of opposing animal cruelty and recognizing the value of nonhuman life. Rather than ending with punishment for every villain, the story emphasizes the victory of love, compassion, and protection for animals.
