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Paper short abstract:

This paper draws on narrative traditions of animality and humanity in genocide survivor writing to interpret Ukrainian discursive responses to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The research demonstrates possibilities for target groups to assert some control over otherwise dehumanising genocidal discourse.

Paper long abstract:

In response to life-shattering events, processes of identity (re)construction take place among survivors. Where such life-shattering events involve the dehumanisation of a target group, as occurs in the case of genocide and similar atrocities, these processes can represent an attempt by the survivor community to reclaim their humanity through exploring the limits of what it means to be human, what it means to become animal-like, and how one can come back from the brink. In the aftermath of the Ukrainian genocide, known as the Holodomor, Miron Dolot (1986) described those who were starved to the point of resorting to cannibalism as “animal-like” and contemplated how one can become so “bereft of his or her senses” (p. 198). This paper draws on narrative traditions of animality and humanity in genocide survivor writing to interpret Ukrainian discursive responses to the Russian-Ukrainian war. While becoming animal-like is viewed as a result of perpetrators’ dehumanisation tactics, Ukrainians are often situated positively alongside animals, as allies against an inhumane Russian other. Maintaining one’s humanity is seen as accomplishable by behaving in a humane manner towards these animals and one another, while inhumane actions are seen to make humans into monsters, or in the case of the contemporary Russian other, orcs. The research demonstrates possibilities for target groups to assert some control over otherwise dehumanising genocidal discourse, in order to diminish its psychological effects. However, it also warns about the potential of such othering for the development of a cycle of violence.