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BLACK BEAUTY PPT

The narrator, a horse, reflects on his privileged early life compared to other horses, highlighting class divisions among them. As he witnesses a foxhunt, he begins to sense the darker implications of their existence, despite initially finding it enchanting. The care and attention he receives from his master, John, contrasts with the harsh realities faced by other horses, emphasizing themes of compassion and privilege.

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53 views

BLACK BEAUTY PPT

The narrator, a horse, reflects on his privileged early life compared to other horses, highlighting class divisions among them. As he witnesses a foxhunt, he begins to sense the darker implications of their existence, despite initially finding it enchanting. The care and attention he receives from his master, John, contrasts with the harsh realities faced by other horses, emphasizing themes of compassion and privilege.

Uploaded by

punyasingla06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER - 1

The narrator’s description of his early life is idyllic—he has a big field to run around
in, fresh water, and shelter from the elements (in the form of trees). He’s innocent, at
this point, to the fact that he’s living a luxurious life; not all horses in the novel grow
up in such ideal circumstances. Then, Duchess introduces the idea that class divisions
exist among horses, just as among people. While the carthorses are coded as being
working-class, the narrator is upper-class
CHAPTERand
- 2 should therefore behave better than his
working-class
The horses arecounterparts.
witnessing a foxhunt, which entails riders and hounds chasing foxes
or hares through farmland and jumping hedges or fences as necessary. At first, the
narrator and the other colts are enchanted—running and jumping like this seems like
great fun. But the way the narrator frames this passage (saying it’s an event he’s
never forgotten, and using a sharper word like “interrupted” to describe the end of
the quiet morning) creates a feelingCHAPTER -3
of unease, like this is perhaps not as fun as the
colts think
Again, it sign
it’s a is. of how compassionate the narrator’s master is that he wants to give
the narrator a chance to grow up before he learns to work like an adult horse (four
years old is when horses are considered adults). It’s also worth considering the
implication that some young horses are forced to work like adults—but the narrator
glossing over this implication suggests he’s not fully aware yet of how privileged he
is.
CHAPTER - 4
Notice that the narrator dwells on the time and attention John gives to grooming him
and making sure his saddle and bridle are fitted correctly. This, per the novel,
constitutes good horsemanship—and having well-fitted tack means that the narrator
can do his best on the ride. However, John also highlights that the narrator’s good
behavior reflects the care the master took when teaching the narrator to ride—the
narrator, unlike Ginger, hasn’t been CHAPTER
taught- that
5
people are his enemies.
Already, Squire Gordon’s estate seems like a great place for the narrator to live: the
barns sound pleasant and well-appointed, the narrator’s stall in particular. Noting
that the oats are waiting for him also suggests that Squire Gordon cares for his
horses’ comfort and will ensure they’re properly fed. And Merrylegs, at least, seems
to echo Duchess in his belief that horses that bite and kick aren’t as good as those
CHAPTER - 6
that are perfectly behaved—he doesn’t want to live next to a badly behaved horse.
Not everything is the most ideal at Birtwick, but Black Beauty attributes not having
“liberty” (by which he means time running free in a field) to the simple fact of being
an adult working horse. However, he also details how John goes to great lengths to
make sure Black Beauty and the other horses get the exercise they need, and aren’t
punished for acting like normal horses. This, he suggests, marks John as an
exceptional groom. But this is also a message for readers that spirited horses aren’t
skittish, they just need exercise. BY - LAVANYA

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