Bild- och texttolkning av djur, människa och vidunder i Bröderna Lejonhjärta

Abstract

This study examines the complex relationships between animals, humans, and monsters in Astrid Lindgren’s The Brothers Lionheart, focusing on the interplay between the text and illustrations by Ilon Wikland. The analysis challenges traditional power dynamics, suggesting that the boundaries between species are negotiable and subject to change. The research underscores the profound significance of animals in children's literature, particularly in Lindgren’s works, where animals often symbolise innocence and wildness. By dissecting anthropomorphism and zoomorphism, the study uncovers how Lindgren and Wikland blur the lines between these categories, contributing to a post humanist perspective. The findings suggest that Lindgren’s portrayal of animals and monsters challenges the conventional hierarchy, presenting a more egalitarian view of these relationships. The study employs a combination of textual and visual analysis, considering how metaphors and descriptive language contributes to the portrayal of animals, humans, and monsters. The research also examines the role of illustrations in enhancing the narrative, noting that images provide additional information not found in the text. The post humanist approach offers an understanding of the complex interactions between species, emphasizing the fluidity of these relationships. Finally, the study underscores the crucial role of illustrations in shaping readers’ interpretations, suggesting that images play a significant role in the narrative and should be appreciated for their contribution to the story.