Summary
Black Beauty, the beloved 1877 novel by English author Anna Sewell, has captivated readers for more than 140 years. Following a horse's life, the book was groundbreaking in its empathetic portrayal of animal welfare issues. Though written primarily for adults, Black Beauty became a children's classic that has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. Beyond literature, the novel helped to spur reforms in the treatment of horses in Victorian England. Its enduring legacy includes numerous adaptations, most famously the 1994 film starring Sean Bean and David Thewlis.
Plot
In Black Beauty, a handsome black horse recounts his life story from his early days as a carefree foal on an English farm to his challenging experiences as a working horse in Victorian England. As a young horse, the titular Black Beauty enjoys a happy life at Squire Gordon's estate, Birtwick Park, alongside other horses like Ginger and Merrylegs. However, when the Squire is forced to sell his horses due to his wife's illness, his fortunes take a dramatic turn for the worse.
The story follows Black Beauty as he passes through the hands of various owners, some kind and some cruel. One of these owners subjects him to the harsh realities of city life as a cab horse in London, where he witnesses and endures mistreatment common to working horses of the era. Throughout his journey, Black Beauty encounters other horses who share their own tales of hardship, underscoring the widespread nature of animal cruelty in Victorian society.
Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, including injuries that diminish his perceived value, Black Beauty perseveres with dignity and a strong work ethic. His story comes full circle when, in his twilight years, he is recognized by Joe Green, a groom from his youth at Birtwick Park. Joe ensures that Black Beauty spends his final days in the care of kind owners, rounding out his tumultuous life.
Themes
Animal welfare and kindness to animals
The importance of empathy and compassion
Social injustice and mistreatment
The value of perseverance through hardship
The bond between humans and animals
The consequences of ignorance and cruelty
The power of storytelling to inspire change
Setting
Black Beauty is set in England during the Victorian era, the late 19th century. The story takes place primarily in rural areas and towns across the English countryside, reflecting the importance of horses for transportation and labor during this time period. While specific locations are not always cited, the novel depicts various settings including country estates, London streets, and small villages.
The titular protagonist's journey begins on a farm in the English countryside, where he spends his early years. As Black Beauty changes hands, the setting shifts to reflect his various roles—from a carriage horse for wealthy families to a cab horse navigating the busy streets of London. These transitions provide insight into the stark contrasts between rural and urban life in Victorian England, as well as the harsh reality of class divides.
Throughout the novel, Sewell vividly describes the working conditions of horses in different environments. From peaceful pastures to crowded city stables, the settings play a crucial role in illustrating the varying treatment of horses by their human handlers. The changing backdrops serve to highlight the social and economic disparities of the era as well as the evolving relationship between humans and animals in 19th-century British society.
Characters
Black Beauty: The narrator and protagonist, a handsome black horse who experiences both kind and cruel owners throughout his life.
Duchess: Black Beauty's mother, who gives him advice on being good and gentle.
Squire Gordon: Black Beauty's kind first master who treats him well.
John Manly: The head groom at Squire Gordon's estate who takes good care of the horses.
Ginger: A chestnut mare and Black Beauty's companion, who has a fiery temperament due to past mistreatment.
Merrylegs: A gentle gray pony at Squire Gordon's estate, ridden by the children of the house.
Jerry Barker: A kind London cab driver who becomes one of Black Beauty's owners.
Joe Green: A young stable boy who initially makes mistakes in caring for Black Beauty, but learns and improves.
Reuben Smith: A skilled horseman with a drinking problem whose actions lead to Black Beauty being injured.
Nicholas Skinner: A cruel cab owner in London who overworks his horses.
Farmer Thoroughgood: An elderly farmer who buys the worn-out Black Beauty and nurses him back to health.
Quick facts
Black Beauty was Anna Sewell's only published novel, written during the last years of her life while she was bedridden and in poor health.
The novel was published in 1877, just five months before Sewell's death. She lived long enough to see it become a success.
With more than 50 million copies sold, Black Beauty is one of the bestselling books of all time.
Narrated from the horse's perspective, Black Beauty is considered one of the first fictional animal autobiographies.
Sewell's purpose in writing the novel was to promote the humane treatment of horses, inspired by her own experiences with horse-drawn transportation.
The novel's depiction of the cruel “bearing rein” led to widespread outrage and contributed to the practice being abolished in Victorian England.
Black Beauty has been adapted into numerous films and TV series, including versions in 1921, 1946, 1971, and 1994.
The book has been translated into more than 50 different languages since its original publication.
Black Beauty's influence extended beyond literature, contributing to increased interest in animal welfare legislation in the United States.
The novel has been compared to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin for its impact on social reform and public sentiment.
About the Author
Anna Sewell was born in 1820 in Great Yarmouth, England, into a devout Quaker family. She faced health struggles from an early age, including a debilitating bone disease and a fall at 14 that left her an invalid. Despite these challenges, she developed a profound love for animals, especially horses. Her education, mostly provided by her mother, fostered in her a strong sense of moral responsibility and compassion for all living beings.
Though Sewell spent much of her life in poor health, she poured her passion for animal welfare into writing. In 1871, she began her only novel, Black Beauty, which she intended as a guide for those who worked with horses. Written from the horse's perspective, the book sought to encourage kindness and empathy in the treatment of animals.
Despite her worsening health, Sewell persisted in completing Black Beauty. She often dictated passages to her mother or wrote on slips of paper, which her mother later transcribed. The novel was published in 1877, when Sewell was 57, and she received a one-time payment of £40. Though she had written the book for an adult audience, it became one of the bestselling children's novels of all time.
Sadly, Sewell died just five months after the publication of Black Beauty, in April 1878. Though she didn’t live to witness its full success, the novel has been translated into many languages and adapted into films. Most notably, it has had a lasting impact on animal welfare, particularly improving the treatment of horses, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) recognizing its importance.
