Difference between revisions of "Rabbits in waistcoats"
(removed Narnia from the statement that "... the animals are almost never main characters"; Aslan, Mr & Mrs Beaver, Trufflehunter, Bree, Puzzle, Shift - all are main characters in at least one of the book. The movies - yes, not so much.) |
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| + | [[File:Whiterabbit.gif|thumb|right|160px|The [[White Rabbit]] is the most likely progenitor of the term ''Rabbits in Waistcoats'']] | ||
| + | '''Rabbits in Waistcoats''' is a semi-derogatory term used to describe a genre of [[anthropomorphic]] [[stories]] with [[civilized animal]]s, relatively normal looking [[beast]]s that talk and wear [[clothing]], yet at the same time live in their [[animal]] ecosystems (albeit in houses) and are subject to [[W:Predation|predation]]. | ||
| − | + | == Overview == | |
| − | + | The term may refer to the sort of [[character]]s found in [[W:Beatrix Potter|Beatrix Potter]] [[stories]], though the term "waistcoat" was never used in one; [[Peter Rabbit]], for example, wore a bright blue jacket. The idea of a rabbit in a waistcoat probably comes from the pregnantly imaginative description of the [[White Rabbit]] from ''Alice in Wonderland'': | |
| − | + | {{q|So [Alice] was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. | |
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| − | + | There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.}} | |
| − | + | A typical [[children's story]], especially from British children's literature, is full of [[mice]] wearing dresses and throwing parties, while still having to avoid [[cat]]s. The genre may also involve gentle tales of animal villages from a simpler and more innocent time, with mild adventure, though many of the more mature members of the genre can be downright dark and frightening. | |
| − | + | == "Rabbits in Waistcoats" in mainstream media == | |
| − | + | * ''[[Wind in the Willows]]'' | |
| − | + | * ''[[The Adventures of Peter Rabbit]]'' | |
| + | * ''[[Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Blackberry Farm]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Redwall (series)|Redwall]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Fern Hollow]]'' | ||
| + | * Most ''[[Brer Rabbit]]'' tales | ||
| + | * ''[[Fantastic Mr. Fox]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[The Welkin Weasels]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Little Bear]]'' | ||
| − | + | Many other similar books may be lumped into this sort of category as well, even while not fitting tightly to definition; in ''[[Watership Down]]'' and ''[[Tales of the Green Forest]]'', the animals are not quite [[anthropomorphic ]]enough; in ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', the animals are primarily [[plush toy|plushie]]s, with a few exceptions; and in ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'', the animals are rarely main [[character]]s. | |
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| + | Usually, the genre features mice, [[rabbit]]s, [[squirrel (species)|squirrel]]s and other [[herbivore|herbivorous]] animals, with [[fox]]es and [[weasel]]s playing key villains. British stories feature local species like [[stoat]]s, [[water vole]]s, and [[hedgehog]]s, while ones written in North America have more [[skunk]]s, [[raccoon]]s, and [[opossum]]s. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Beast fable]] | ||
* [[Furry Appearance Score]] | * [[Furry Appearance Score]] | ||
* [[Furry Spirit Score]] | * [[Furry Spirit Score]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:01, 12 March 2024
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This article does not provide enough context. Please fix the article if you are familiar with the subject. Articles without enough context to be cleaned up or expanded may be deleted. For specifics, check the edit history and talk page. Consult the Furry Book of Style for editing help. |
Rabbits in Waistcoats is a semi-derogatory term used to describe a genre of anthropomorphic stories with civilized animals, relatively normal looking beasts that talk and wear clothing, yet at the same time live in their animal ecosystems (albeit in houses) and are subject to predation.
Overview[edit]
The term may refer to the sort of characters found in Beatrix Potter stories, though the term "waistcoat" was never used in one; Peter Rabbit, for example, wore a bright blue jacket. The idea of a rabbit in a waistcoat probably comes from the pregnantly imaginative description of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland:
| So [Alice] was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.
There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. |
A typical children's story, especially from British children's literature, is full of mice wearing dresses and throwing parties, while still having to avoid cats. The genre may also involve gentle tales of animal villages from a simpler and more innocent time, with mild adventure, though many of the more mature members of the genre can be downright dark and frightening.
"Rabbits in Waistcoats" in mainstream media[edit]
- Wind in the Willows
- The Adventures of Peter Rabbit
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
- Blackberry Farm
- Redwall
- Fern Hollow
- Most Brer Rabbit tales
- Fantastic Mr. Fox
- The Welkin Weasels
- Little Bear
Many other similar books may be lumped into this sort of category as well, even while not fitting tightly to definition; in Watership Down and Tales of the Green Forest, the animals are not quite anthropomorphic enough; in Winnie the Pooh, the animals are primarily plushies, with a few exceptions; and in Alice in Wonderland, the animals are rarely main characters.
Usually, the genre features mice, rabbits, squirrels and other herbivorous animals, with foxes and weasels playing key villains. British stories feature local species like stoats, water voles, and hedgehogs, while ones written in North America have more skunks, raccoons, and opossums.
See also[edit]
