Humanity (Love, Friendship)

At its core, Animal’s People is an exploration into humanity as we define it. Because of his physical
deformation, and the teasing he faces, Animal convinces himself that he is not—and cannot be—
human. He chooses instead to identify only as an animal. By defining himself as nonhuman, Animal
can isolate himself—his soul—from people who only see his deformed body; he can be free of the
suffering that humans face. Even Farouq criticizes this mindset, claiming that his rejection of his own
humanity is only to excuse his wild behavior. To Animal, to think of himself as human is to admit that
he’s wrong shaped and abnormal; to be an animal is to be whole.

However, even as he claims to be nonhuman and detached, Animal is highly contemplative and
emotional. While he may hide his feelings, he craves intimate emotional and physical relationships;
that is, he craves human connection. When he rejects the human world entirely, he finds that he
also does not fit in with the animals. During his hallucinogenic breakdown, Animal determines that,
because he does not fit in with humans or animals, he must be a universe unto itself. In his total
rejection of humanity, he hits his lowest point.

As Animal processes and reflects on his story, he transforms, becoming increasingly aware of the
humanity he does possess. He realizes that Animal’s people—Ma, his friends, his neighbors—love,
accept, and encourage him exactly as he is. To them, he is a “full and true human being.” When he
thinks of the trauma of the recent events, including Ma’s and other deaths, he is overcome with grief
and breaks into sobs. This moment acts as the turning point for Animal; the outward show of
emotion is a symbolic acceptance of his human nature.

Sinha uses Animal’s struggle with his own sense of humanity as a criticism for the way we define it.
Animal, although beast-like, is much more human—and certainly more humane—than the novel’s
villains. Not only does the Kampani and its lawyers avoid responsibility for the lives it has ruined, it
shows an arrogance and lack of compassion when directly faced with that suffering.
When Nisha reflects on the futility of the Khaufpuri’s search for justice, she claims that appeals to
humanity are of no use, as they are “not human” but animals. Such a perspective highlights the fault
in Animal’s logic. It is not a “normal” body that makes one human; it is the compassion and love one
shares with others.