The Symbiotic World of Humans and Animals: An Interpretation of the Dog Imagery in A Village of One’s Own

Abstract

Liu Liangcheng’s first prose collection, A Village of One’s Own, was published in 1998 and quickly attracted widespread attention in the literary circle. In this work, assuming the identity of a “rural philosopher”, he employs a multitude of animal imageries to convey his unique insights into life. Particularly, the imagery of dogs occupies a prominent position in the text. It not only showcases his distinctive artistic style but also profoundly embodies the depth of his thoughts. Through diverse narrative techniques and the interweaving of memories and reality, Liu Liangcheng depicts the rich and three-dimensional life of dogs. Meanwhile, via this imagery, he presents the close yet complex relationship between animals and human life. Additionally, influenced by the geographical and cultural features of the borderland, Liu Liangcheng also reveals in-depth reflections on bioethics and the human living condition. These reflections encompass the relationship between humans and all things in nature, with “dogs” serving as a vivid carrier.