Animal Symbolism in Folk Narratives and Human Attitudes towards Predators: An Analysis of their Mutual Influences

Abstract This article deals with the symbolic aspects of folk narratives involving animals considered to be 'harmful'. Its main focus is a study of narratives collected by Chilean schoolchildren concerning eight endangered animal species. These narratives are analysed as cultural models and as educational tools for environmental purposes. Notes 1 It should be noted in this context that the term 'resource' would be rejected by several ecological approaches because of the connotations of exploitation that it unavoidably evokes. A discussion about the concept therefore needs to take place in a context and space that is beyond the scope of this article. 2 Metonymy is here understood as 'the relationship that links the parts of a semantic domain to one another' (Schultz and Lavenda 2005, 174). Thus, a metaphor implies the usage of specific similarities, whereas metonymy relies on contiguity or association. As an example, in the phrase 'The Lord is my shepherd', the link between the word shepherd and its associated characteristics is a link of metonymy. In this way, shepherd 'can stand for any and all attributes connected to the semantic domain defined by sheep-herding. At the same time, any of these attributes (such as protecting sheep from wild animals) may entail the word shepherd' (Schultz and Lavenda 2005, 174–75). 3 Part of the background information used here comes from a project carried out by means of an Environment Protection Grant—Fondo de Protección Ambiental—awarded in Chile by CONAMA (the government agency for environmental protection). It was developed by the Fauna Australis laboratory of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile during 2008. 4 Personal interview with Rosendo Huisca, 2 February 2010. 5 Darwin Initiative, CONAMA (Chilean Government), Wildlife Conservation Unit (WILDCRU), Fundación San Cristóbal, and The Macaulay Institute.