The Presentation of the Lamb Versus the Wolf in Most Literary Pieces, Essay Example

Introduction

There had been several times when the lamb and the wolf have become two elements of comparison used by authors in several literary pieces. Sometimes directly used as characters to stories, and sometimes used as metaphoric representations of human individuals who are supposed to be reflected based from their characteristics and attitudes. What makes the lamb and the wolf such contradicting creatures that they fascinate the thinking of most literary writers in redefining their works to present moral values and reflect human characteristics that their readers are expected to relate to? The discussion herein shall try to manifest the differences between these two animals and create a remarkable indication as to why such comparisons are being made in the field of literature and what impack do such representation make on the understanding and reflection of the readers to whom such creations are dedicated to.

Elements of Comparison

The common element of comparison that literary authors often use to define morality is the definition between good and bad. Citing the differences between the two allows the literary authors to create a depicting factor that helps the readers place themselves in a rightful position that could provide themselves a more comprehensive understanding of what the message of the story presented is all about. This is the same reason behind the utilization of lamb and wolf as the animation of morals. Take note that lambs and wolves have different characteristics. Most often than not, the wolf stand as the predator and lambs are simply among the long list of their prey. What makes the lamb a prey and what makes the wolf a predator? Nature itself dictates this fact and it is the instinctive characteristic of wolves to hunt for food. Lambs, being weaker than the wolves often serve as easy prey for these hungry animals. In the wild, animals tend to find for themselves the food that they are to eat. The parents often hunt for their young which make them even more aggressive at times.

Lambs are often cared for. Domesticated and given particular attention to, lambs become easier to tame and are noted to have a better bond with humans. In the wild though, lambs know that they have to defend themselves. In the aim of doing so, there are instances when lambs [especially the alpha males] fight valiantly against the wolves using their horns to guard off their herds from the predators’ attacks. There are instances when they win, however, with the strategy of wolves; it is most often than not that the lambs become sumptuous meals for these wild eaters.

From this point, it could be pointed out that lambs are weaker than wolves. Nevertheless, this does not make them any less valuable than that of their stronger counterpart. It is at times their meek characteristic that makes them less aggressive and more pre-emptive of the possible course of resolutions to the problems that they face especially in consideration with being the prey. Lambs often develop a strategy of staying together as a pack, strengthening their bond to protect each other; a matter that is not followed closely by wolves as they most often than not attack in a singled proportion.

Reason behind Comparison

As presented in the discussion above, lambs are less aggressive, yet more strategic than that of the wolves. They are also easily domesticated suggesting their higher response to human communication compared to that of their counterpart. This further imposes that lambs have higher intellectual capabilities compared to wolves. What then are the identifiable characteristics of the wolves? One is that they are aggressive. Given that they are born hunters, wolves are keen enough to know who or which among the herds they can easily prey upon. In a way, they can see weakness other than the strength of the pack. They get to see who is to likely run away from the group out of fear and panic. When it comes to this particular strategy of luring out the weakest, wolves are commendable. Aside from such, they have the thirst for speed and excitement. Their desire to hunt is at times more of a personal need than a simple instinct to fill their stomach with food. The adrenaline to chase a prey is a need they have to respond to in a regular basis.

Relative Connection of Elements to Human Values

As considered a while back in the earlier sections of this discussion, the utilization of lamb and wolf often indicate a contrasting presentation of good and bad. When it comes to defining human values, there are instances when authors of literary structures create a comparative ground that sets lambs as the representation of what is good in human nature and the wolves as the representation of the more negative side of humanity. Take note for example the utilization of lambs to be the live-definition of meekness. Often times, lambs and their character of being obedient to their shepherds and even to their dog guides fascinate writers as they explore the comprehensive condition by which humans themselves at times find it hard to obey. The utilization of lambs as an example to contrast with this human weakness to obey is used to defy the difference between animosity and humanity, which is supposed to give a higher regard to the characteristic of being human. Humans, being a higher grade of creation are expected to act more reverently than that of the animals even as meek as the lambs. However, there are instances when meekness itself is hard to find among humans.

Lambs are also noted remarkable for their strategy of remaining in packs and retaining the integrity of their group even at the face of adversities of being attacked by their predators. Authors often use this imagery to show how cooperation among members of a team specifically creates successful strategies for the whole group that could save everyone else’s integrity. There are also times when they use such picture to define social development based on human camaraderie.

Wolves on the other end often represent the negative side of the human force. Being aggressive and all, wolves are often used to define individuals who think naturally for themselves, who dwell on the desire to prey on others and are less careful in their strategies so long as they define their desires well. Relatively, wolves are opportunists hence represent people who are more concerned about how they feed their own ego rather than making sure that their part of the group would share their victories in life. Defiantly apart from the being of the lambs, wolves are often considered the dismal presentation of human desire that is more selfish than giving.

Personal Reflection on Comparison

Personally, I do think that the use of lambs and wolves as comparative elements in literature gives forth an effective representation of the characteristics and attitudes of human individuals. With the right definition of both their nature of being and their ways and their instinctive reaction to situations, they are able to create a more depicting picture that defines human nature in contrast with the nature of animal life. This then serves as a better source of reflection for readers who are to see themselves either in relation to the wolf or the lamb being described in the literature being read. The effectiveness on how an author uses these elements of comparison gives the story a greater impact of moral and values.

Conclusion

In the field of literary creation, authors utilize different forms of speech figures that are often able to create an imagery that humans could immediately relate to. These relative connections to the elements they use play an important role in sending out the message they hope to present their readers with. Lambs and wolves and the comparison they have between each other and the reflective consideration that are indicated in relation to how they define humanity have been a long-time practice among authors in literature. So far, up to now, such forms of comparison between the two creatures still remain effective in creating a metaphoric picture that sends a strong message to readers of the modern society.

References:

Culler, Jonathan. (2007). The Literary in Theory. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Carroll, J. (2007). Evolutionary Approaches to Literature and Drama. In Robin Dunbar and Louise Barrett, (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology. Chapter 44.

Castle, Gregory. (2007). Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

Zunshine. Lisa, ed. (2010). Introduction to Cognitive Cultural Studies. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.