Ties By Clarice Lispector The Use Of Animals In Family Ties Summary

Animals in Family Ties by Clarice Lispector

Animals are often regarded today as inferior to humans due to their inability to communicate or experience similar levels of emotional complexity. However, Clarice Lispector uses them in Family Ties, though more specifically in the short stories “The Smallest Woman in the World,” “The Buffalo,” “The Chicken,” “The Crime of the Mathematics Professor” and “The Mystery in São Cristóvão” to demonstrate the intricacy of human nature and emotions using symbols, similes and visual imagery. Using animals, who are generally capable of expressing single emotions, such as happiness or sadness, to convey the complexity of human nature is significant as it shows that while there is this difference and separation,

In “The Smallest Woman in the World,” the explorer claims that Little Flower is “as black as a monkey” (89). Monkeys are symbols of playfulness and happiness and are wild animals. In addition, Little Flower looks “just like a dog” and appears to be “splayed” like one (90). Dogs are domesticated animals and in this context, can mean to say that she appears inferior and not actually human. The comparisons of Little Flower to both a monkey and a dog in addition to her isolation reinforce the idea that despite the complexity of human nature, humans are fundamentally similar to animals in their demeanor and in the way they act or appear to others. Furthermore, this also demonstrates the unity of human nature, as the similes used to describe Little Flower by the explorer and the people who see her photograph reveal their incessant need to classify and their distaste at the unusual and the unknown. Moreover, in “Mystery in São Cristóvão,” the three masked men spring “like cats” during their escape (137). When reduced to the single goal of getting away, the men become like cats who in this case, represent agility. Again, this conveys the same message that humans are ultimately like animals despite the apparent complexity. In summary, similes are used in Family Ties to show that the basis of human nature and what is expressed by animals are

In “The Smallest Woman in the World,” Little Flower feels the urge to “[swing] from branch to branch” when she is happy (94). This develops an image of a monkey in the reader’s mind, which again is a symbol of happiness and playfulness. This further emphasizes the similarities between humans and animals because it is almost instinctual for Little Flower to act this way when she is happy. It is important to note that Little Flower has lived in the jungle her whole life and is not been exposed to technology or any other modern advancements. This lack of a modern lifestyle shows that humans are inherently like animals. Furthermore, in “The Crime of the Mathematics Professor,” the memories the professor recounts help the reader to visualize the relationship between the professor and the dog. The way in which the professor does this makes the dog appear humanlike. For instance, the professor describes the dog as often watching or examining him, which the professor deems to be odd. The professor also remembers that he gave the dog a “human name” (143). Again, this demonstrates how humans and animals can be so similar. Therefore, Lispector uses visual imagery to allow readers to understand that while humans and animals do not share the same emotional capacity, they are nevertheless intrinsically