role of animals in the Florida novels of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Animals play a vital role in the Florida novels of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, including Cross Creek, The Yearling, South Moon Under and Golden Apples. Rawlings's appreciation for the animal world may be viewed as twofold. First, she emphasizes the importance of animals for practical reasons, stressing their contribution to the livelihood of her characters. Her attitude also encompasses a realistic view of the dual role animals play as both threat and protector. Secondly, Rawlings expresses a firm conviction that a close relationship with the animal world is essential to one's happiness. She reveals a marked preference for animals above humans and emphasizes their contribution to the emotional well-being of her characters. Finally, Rawlings employs literary techniques such as simile, metaphor and personification to disclose how fundamental an element animals are to her Florida novels as well as her personal life.