The Wild Within: Animals as Symbols in Novels
If there’s one thing that separates us from other species, it’s how fascinated we are by our nonhuman earthly companions. According to the 2024-2025 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), roughly 70% of American households own at least one pet. Folklore is full of animal characters and imagery. Even today, many stories feature the lurking and scampering of a variety of creatures.
This is not an accident or coincidence. Almost a primitive, universal language, animals serve as powerful tools for conveying messages and meaning. They can be beneficial additions to any novel, allowing writers to convey complex themes, represent human traits, and connect readers to nature in a visceral way.
Let’s explore three specific ways in which using animals as symbols creates greater, more compelling stories.
Mirrors
Perhaps one reason why we are so fascinated by animals is that we see bits of ourselves within them. Simplified and exaggerated, animals can represent core human traits. A lion might embody courage or leadership, while a rat could suggest cunning or betrayal. This technique in writing gives readers an immediate emotional reference point. For example, when a character is described as “wolf-like,” the connotations of predatory instinct or loyalty to a pack are instantly understood. By layering animal symbolism, writers can deepen character development and reveal psychological truths without lengthy exposition.
Cultural Symbols
Many cultures associate different symbolic meaning with different animals. Owls, for instance, can symbolize wisdom in one context while foretelling death in another. In writing, these cultural associations can be drawn upon to enrich the narrative, providing foreshadowing or emotional context. A flock of crows descending might foreshadow chaos, while the persistence of ants could represent resilience. Many stories often attribute their own symbolism to animals as well which can provide book-specific myth and meaning.
It is important to note for this section that writers should research animal symbolism and respect cultural significance, ensuring that symbolism feels authentic.
Natural Obstacles
Animals in novels can also serve as embodiments of the wild, uncontrollable aspects of nature. In eco-fiction or survival stories, animals often become central to the theme of humankind’s relationship with the environment, becoming natural obstacles or antagonists standing in the way of the hero’s desires. Using animals in this way reminds us, as humans, how small we are and how interwoven our lives can be with the natural world.
Animals in literature are never just background details. At least, they shouldn’t be. Whether as mirrors of human traits, cultural symbols, or reminders of nature’s power, they can bring richness and depth to storytelling. By thoughtfully employing animal symbolism, relying on humankind’s natural curiosity, novelists can speak to readers on both an intellectual and instinctual level. So, next time you encounter an animal in a novel, ask yourself: what does it represent, and what larger story is it trying to tell?