The latest in a series of events next Monday at Manchester Metropolitan University Explores our complex relationships with the animal world.

The public discussion titled “Companions, Captives, Commodities”, is part of the Humanities in Public festival and will consider “the slaughterhouse novel”, mankind’s relationship with wolves and the role of horses and mules during the first world war.

The speakers will be three of Manchester Metropolitan University’s humanities lecturers, Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes, Dr Wahida Khandker and Dr Gervase Phillips.

Dr Aldana Reyes will be discussing the use of the slaughterhouse in mainstream and political fiction, from Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel The Jungle to contemporary writers such as Michael Faber and Conrad Williams.

Dr Khandker will discuss Jon Coleman’s history of colonial America’s relationship with its native wolves, Vicious while Dr Phillips will try to help the audience understand the story of the real-life war horses who went from pulling brewers’ wagons along the streets of Manchester to the fields of Flanders.

Dr Khandker, who convened the series of events, said: “So far the events in this series have gone really well, with engaging speakers and lively debates about the relationships that we form with other animals. The broader issue of human-animal interactions speaks to many people because so many of us have had direct experience of forming bonds with non-human animals (e.g. kept as pets), and most aspects of modern life are underpinned by some use of animals for food, labour, experimentation, etc.

“The aim of this month’s events has been to challenge some of our preconceptions about animals and their advocates, and also to open up opportunities to volunteer with advocacy organisations, to get a taste of vegetarian or vegan living, and to hear more about some of the work that academics are currently doing in this area.”

The event will take place on Monday, October 20 at 5.30pm. Admission is free, but places should be booked via Eventbrite.

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