Teologia zwierząt według Reymonta

The paper analyses the human-nature-eschatology relationship from a historiosophical perspective, using as an example the motif of a dog in three different prose works by Władysław Reymont: Chłopi [The Peasants], the short story Dola [The Fate], and the anti-utopian novel Bunt [The Revolt]. The theme/motif/character of the dog constitutes an axis for the analysis of the problem of man’s duty towards weaker beings, which is the foundation of the animal theology formulated by Andrew Linzey. The paper reveals the mechanisms of violence against dogs in various circumstances and historical moments. The author explains the issues of the positive valuation of animal behavior present in Reymont’s prose, as well as the emotions shown by animals and the salvation of non-human beings. Despite blurring the boundaries between species, Reymont does not completely abandon the anthropocentric perspective.