Mouse
Georgie CarrollDespite their minuscule size, mice remain a large presence in the human imagination. Maligned as one of our greatest adversaries, responsible for disease, plague and holes in clothing, the mouse is also worshipped in Hindu and Buddhist traditions and appears throughout art, literature and folklore. An accomplished survivor, the house mouse has colonized six continents, thrives on Subantarctic islands void of human habitation and has even travelled into space. Leading a perilous life in an uncompromising world, mice represent courage and adaptability and are proof that appearances can be deceiving.
Mouse explores the history of this enchanting creature, with which we not only share our space, but 99 per cent of our genetic makeup.
From Mickey to Jerry to Pinky, mice have played an important role in our childhood cartoons and tales. Often a heroic figure in culture and fiction – mice are the iconic symbol of Disney – they are also considered one of the human race’s greatest adversaries, responsible for disease and plague. Presenting a natural and cultural history of the mouse, this book explores the large role this diminutive animal plays in both the animal kingdom and human imagination.
Mice are accomplished survivors, having colonized six of the world’s continents and even travelled into space. As one of the earth’s smallest prey, the mouse represents courage, perseverance and adaptability. Examining the evolution, species, habitats and behaviours of mice, Georgie Carroll also surveys the depiction of mice in art, myth, literature and folklore, considering how they are held in divine regard in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Carroll also delves into the integral place mice hold within the modern scientific endeavour – that of the laboratory animal. Telling the story of this beguiling creature in rich detail, Mouse is an intriguing look at an animal we have worshipped, tested, slaughtered, loved and loathed.
Despite their minuscule size, mice remain a large presence in the human imagination. Maligned as one of our greatest adversaries, responsible for disease, plague and holes in clothing, the mouse is also worshipped in Hindu and Buddhist traditions and appears throughout art, literature and folklore. An accomplished survivor, the house mouse has colonized six continents, thrives on Subantarctic islands void of human habitation and has even travelled into space. Leading a perilous life in an uncompromising world, mice represent courage and adaptability and are proof that appearances can be deceiving.
Mouse explores the history of this enchanting creature, with which we not only share our space, but 99 per cent of our genetic makeup.
From Mickey to Jerry to Pinky, mice have played an important role in our childhood cartoons and tales. Often a heroic figure in culture and fiction – mice are the iconic symbol of Disney – they are also considered one of the human race’s greatest adversaries, responsible for disease and plague. Presenting a natural and cultural history of the mouse, this book explores the large role this diminutive animal plays in both the animal kingdom and human imagination.
Mice are accomplished survivors, having colonized six of the world’s continents and even travelled into space. As one of the earth’s smallest prey, the mouse represents courage, perseverance and adaptability. Examining the evolution, species, habitats and behaviours of mice, Georgie Carroll also surveys the depiction of mice in art, myth, literature and folklore, considering how they are held in divine regard in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Carroll also delves into the integral place mice hold within the modern scientific endeavour – that of the laboratory animal. Telling the story of this beguiling creature in rich detail, Mouse is an intriguing look at an animal we have worshipped, tested, slaughtered, loved and loathed.
Introduction: Ridiculus Mus
1. The Evolution of the Mouse, from Prehistory to the Laboratory
2. The Mouse in Egypt, Greece and Rome
3. The Asian Mouse
4. The Mouse in the Indigenous Cultures of the Americas
5. The Mouse in Art, Film and Literature
Timeline
References
Select Bibliography
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Georgie Carroll is a writer and researcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.