Babe Blog

The movie Babe 2: A Pig in the City was surprisingly interesting and portrayed a lot of examples of anthropomorphism. The main plot of the film is the adventures of Babe and his farmer’s wife when they decide to travel to the city looking for a way to make a little extra money for the upkeep and survival of their farm.

The example of anthropomorphism that stuck out to me the most was when the orangutan was determined to be completely dressed before making their escape from the animal laboratory that they were taken to. Time was of the essence and instead of not even worrying about clothes, he was determined to be dressed before going back out into the public. To the orangutan’s obsession with clothes, Babe says, “But you’re an orangutan. Orangutans don’t wear clothes!” This bluntly reveals the anthropomorphic nature of the orangutan. Most humans would never dare to venture out without clothes on and the orangutan shows the same preoccupation with clothes that a human would.

Watching this movie made me think of the various other American, specifically Disney, films that include anthropomorphism- Dumbo, 101 Dalmatians, the three mice form Cinderella, the Fox and the Hound, and even King Kong. I think our culture is somewhat ironic because while we eat animals, torture them, and use them for experimentation, we also teach our children to help them, save them, and respect them.  All of the movies that I listed above all anthropomorphize animals in such a way that puts them on equal playing fields with humans. Many times humans even befriend these animals and have purposeful, well-thought out conversations with them. Although animals obviously cannot talk, I think that these movies and Babe specifically, has good meaning behind it. Animals are often ill-treated and that is not right. The one example that I can think of from the movie that I thought represented our culture’s attitudes towards animals, was the woman who lived across the street from the animals hotel. She was always complaining about the noise and thought that the animals were nothing but a nuisance. I don’t believe that animals are on the same level as humans intellectually and morally, but that still doesn’t discount our duty and responsibility to respect them and I think that this movie emphasized that point to me in a unique way.

Babe

Unlike other movies in this class, I really enjoyed watching Babe: Pig in the City. It was a good change from watching movies like the Plague Dogs, and Timothy Treadwell's film. This movie does a great job of anthropomorphism, and giving the animals human traits. There were so many animals in this movie, and each had to gain respect for one another. It seemed as if the humans were cruel and could care less about the animals beside Mrs. Hoggett and the Landlady. In the beginning of this movie, it seemed like the chimpanzees would never gain respect for Babe. I felt so bad for him, when he was hungry and they wouldn't help him get food. By the end of the movie it was good to see the respect the orangutan had gained for Babe by saying, "Thank the pig," for waring them that the chandelier was about the fall and that's what the baby chimpanzees were hanging onto. Because all of the animals had human traits, and could talk and understand each other, it was almost as if they all finally decided to cooperate and work as one, instead of being individuals. This being a children's movie I was pleased to see that no one died because a few scenes worried me. For example, the Farmer Hoggett who fell in the well, and the more little dog with wheels, who got thrown from the truck. I was hoping that this would not lead to scenes like the Plague dogs. I think that Midgley would be on Mrs. Hoggett and the Landlady's side and try and help them find the animals. Not only because they are their animals, but if you take enough time to understand animals, in time you will understand them. Although animals may not be able actually talk to us, that does not make them any different and we should not ignore them because they can't technically ask us to help. I really enjoyed Babe:Pig in the City and I wish we could watch more anthropomorphism movies in class like this that portrays the animals in a positive view where animals have rights.

Babe Pig in the City Blog

Babe Pig in the City was quite a nice reprieve from the various other movies viewed in class. I enjoyed watching the movie and could see how it would appeal to both children and those studying ecological ethics. The animals viewed in the movie (including Babe, the apes, the gorillas, dogs, cats, ect.) were given distinctly human characteristics and thoughts. One could see that this was done to help the audience connect to the animals in the movie and their plight - by giving the animal distinctly human voices (especially the sweet, childish voices of Babe and the kitten) and putting them within human plots, I personally felt my heart connecting to the animals and fighting for them because I could place myself in their shoes. While some would argue that this employment of human characteristics to the animal characters in the movie is an underhanded application of anthropomorphism, Midgely, and myself, would argue -how else are humans supposed to relate animals? As Midgely pointed out, if humans say that they cannot relate to animals because they do not understand them, how can they relate to other human beings - humans cannot enter into the minds of animals, just as much as they cannot enter into the minds of humans. Midgely explains that one understands other humans through projecting their own experiences onto them; it makes sense that humans would project their own feelings and experiences on these animals. By understanding this, one can see why the producers of Babe Pig in the City used human voices, human plots, and human characteristics in the movie - they was trying to help the young audience relate to the animals and understand their plights in light of this audiences' human experiences. Overall, Babe Pig in the City was a very enjoyable movie. Personally, I did not mind the anthropomorphism apparent in the movie - it helped my viewing experience. I was able to relate to the animals in the movie and enjoyed the obviously human experiences and plights that the animals were placed in.

Babe Film Response

Overall, I found this movie to be more entertaining that the other ones we have watched so far. The plot was interesting and well developed, the special effects were well done, and the overall theme was one of hope and happiness as opposed to the tone of sadness and depression in the Plague Dogs. While movies that portray more somber stories are beneficial and have an essential role to play in the media as a whole, I found the lighter movie Babe to be more entertaining and fun to watch.

This movie did a great job of subtly (or maybe not so subtly) getting the audience to feel for the animals and identify with them. As we talked about in class, this movie definitely used anthropomorphism in order to make its case for animal rights - and in my opinion, it was successful. As a viewer, I could not help but feel bad for Babe because he always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or cause big problems unintentionally. It was impossible not to feel anxiety when Babe was being chased by the dogs, sadness when the animals were all being captured and separated, and joy when Babe was reunited with the farmer's wife and all the animals lived happily ever after. Although much of the movie was a little on the ridiculous side (like at the end, when the farmer's wife and some of the animals were swinging from the ceiling at that party...), I think it accomplished its goal of portraying animals as human-like and therefore deserving of good treatment.

There were a few times in the movie when I expected a death to occur (like at the beginning when the farmer fell in the well, or when the dog with no hind legs was thrown off the street), but it remained essentially a children's movie with those individuals recovering quickly. Perhaps I was still in the mindset of the Plague Dogs, and that's why I expected more carnage. I liked that this film was so different from the others we have watched because it really presents a more mainstream version of an animal-rights movie. It was able to show us that animal-rights media is not only small-scale and "artsy" (although there is nothing wrong with that), but also that it can be mainstream and big budget as well - which makes it more appealing to people who do not have as much exposure to independent and small-scale films.

Babe film respone

In this movie there was anthropomorphism throughout. The entire movie was centered around the human-like qualities and behaviors that the animlas possessed, from their talking to the expression of vivid emotions. These human-like qualities allowed the veiwers of the film to relate to the animals and connect with them on a emotional level. We were able to feel their pain and their anger when they were mistreated, and we were able to feel a sense of hope for the animals as things began to turn around. This film was different from what seems to be the common perception of animals. The animals in the film were able to act as rational beings making decisions and understanding what was right and wrong. They possessed language and emotions as well as the ability to "out smart" the humans in some cases. This presented them as actual beings rather than "machines". These qualities strongly support the anthropocentric view and place the animals on the same level as the humans.

The main character, a pig named Babe, was the "underdog" that was able to rise above and lead the group of various animals. A pig is often not an animal that one thinks of to portray any heroic qualities. But, through out the film, the treatment of Babe and the series of unfortunate events that take place, allowed the viewers to feel a sense of pity for the animals. This pity, and the movie's strong anthropomorphism often made me forget that the animals were the main characters. At some points of the movie, it even made me think of the humans as the bad guys. I thought this portrayal was very interesting to get the point across of showing the animal point of view, and by giving the animals the human qualities, it was easier to sypathize and think of them as "little people in fur coats". Situations, like when the humans walked into the hotel and saw the animals all throughout it, I thought of what I would think in that position. Of course my first reaction would be shock and the desire to get all of the animals out, because thay do not beliong there. But, then when you think of the animals perspective, with nowhere else to go, it made me feel bad for them and want to help them, as the hotel owner did.

This movie was a good one to show the different sides of the treatment of animals. It showed the good, like the farm, and the bad, like the city. I think it allowed the viewers to understand an animal's perspective and hopefully think twice before acting as though animals are just pests.

Babe

In the film, "Babe: Pig in the City", there is an obvious depiction of true anthropomorphism. Every animal in the movie has human traits which makes the main focus of the film be on the animals and their capacity to behave like humans. Many emotions are also depicted which allows the viewer to be drawn into the plot and even identify with the characters. I also thought it was intersting how the film distinguished between the two women who were fond of the animals and the majority of the humans who strongly disliked the animals.

I think the major theme that can be discussed with the film is one that concerns an outcast attempting to fit in with society. To take it a step farther, it seems as if smaller themes fit into this one. For example, when Babe and his owner get to the city, Babe has to fit in and almost prove himself to the other animals. He eventually gains their respect. Likewise, Mrs. Hoggett has to alter her country lifestyle and learn to keep herself safe in the city. While all this is going on, the animals and humans appear to be against eachother when the city officials come to take the animals away. This depicts the idea that some people try to "draw the line" between animals and humans and prove one's superiority over the other.

The variuos obstacles the animals had to overcome not only reveals their human-like abilities but also incorporates a sense of pity the viewer can't help but feel towards the animals. In essence, the animals are portrayed as cute animals with a sense of humor; this contrasts the dark personalities of the humans (except for the landlady and Mrs. Hoggett). In relation to Midgley's thoughts about putting forth effort to understand animals, it seems that this was proven to be true in that the landlady fostered the animals and had an understanding with them.

Quiz 13

Budiansky disagrees with peterson regarding animals and the emotions they feel. Mary Midgley would respond to their argument by saying it is very anthropocentric to apply human emotions to animals. Animals are of a different species of us and it would be inaccurate to suggest that they share the same emotions as we do. However, this does not mean that they are mindless machines roaming the earth either. They still communicate within their own species and share common traits, they are just simply of a different kind than ours.

Also, many species of animals are able to coexist with each other without harming one another. We as humans can only be able to live with only certain kinds of species such as the dog, cat, horse, and birds. However, when living with these animals, they must be trained to respond to our commands. They are under our control and so we dominate over them. So when the gorilla saved the boy, that happened due to mere training. The gorilla was trained to show care to a doll and in return, it would receive some type of reward. This type of treatment to other animals will keep the species barrier and continue to allow humans to mistreat animals.

However, I believe that animals do share some basic emotions as humans do. Such as pain, anger, and a certain sense of love towards their kin. So to say that animals don't feel any emotions is ridiculous.