Presentation Schedule
Care Ethics and the Limits of the Pastoral Mode: Rereading James Herriot’s Veterinary Memoirs (106624)
Session Chair: James Geidner
Wednesday, 17 June 2026 11:00
Session: Session 1
Room: Room 116 (1F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
British country veterinarian James Alfred Wight, writing under the pen name James Herriot, authored a beloved series of memoirs—often read as autobiographical novels for their crafted, semi-fictional anecdotes—detailing his career in North Yorkshire from the 1940s. These memoirs, which he began writing at the age of 50, were not only bestsellers; they were also adapted for film and television, making "James Herriot" a household name that is celebrated by many readers attracted to the joys and meaningfulness of veterinary practice. His animal stories have elicited a powerful cultural phenomenon: the "James Herriot" effect. Herriot’s influence drives significant interest in veterinary medicine, but also risks generating unrealistic expectations of the profession among the public. This presentation aims to examine how Herriot’s memoirs can be crucial sites of ethical negotiation. In her monograph "Animal Stories", scholar Susan McHugh suggests that: "stories might be seen as key points of ethical negotiation across artistic and scientific models of species and social life". My analysis of James Herriot’s animal stories, particularly "All Creatures Great and Small", aims to demonstrate how the narratives dramatise the lived experience of a veterinarian, embedding the application of veterinary science within a framework of care ethics. However, I will also evaluate the limitations of Herriot’s pastoral mode, demonstrating how his romanticised language and narration idealise veterinary practice. This analysis will reveal how these literary strategies carry significant ethical influence, shaping public perceptions and professional expectations in ways that both illuminate and obscure the complex realities of veterinary care.
Authors:
Chak-kwan Ng, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Chak-kwan Ng is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Hong Kong Metropolitan University in Hong Kong
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