Canis Modernis

Canis Modernis: Human/Dog Coevolution in Modernist Literature explores the complex relationship between humans and canines within early twentieth century texts. This volume 1 study examines how dogs appear in the works of authors such as Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Samuel Beckett. By analyzing these literary representations, Karalyn Kendall-Morwick frames the dog as a coevolutionary partner rather than a mere symbol. This literature analysis utilizes evolutionary theories and scientific perspectives to show how dogs reflect the struggle of adapting to rapid modernization.

The book argues that the presence of dogs in modernist literature destabilizes the traditional notion of the autonomous human subject. Through the lens of animal studies, the text demonstrates how material interactions with other species shape human identity. Canis Modernis: Human/Dog Coevolution in Modernist Literature reveals how these animals challenge humanistic underpinnings and traditional literary forms, offering a new perspective on the modern condition.