Beyond Delight: Environmental Ethics and Early Ecological Thought in Potter’s Picturebooks

Abstract

Beatrix Potter’s legacy in children’s environmental literature goes beyond charming tales and commercial success; her picturebooks subtly embed ecological consciousness that remains relevant today. Her literary and artistic creativity reflects a deep respect for nature, portraying anthropomorphic animals as emotionally relatable characters navigating human-dominated environments. Amid Britain’s industrial expansion and urban encroachment, Potter critiques environmental degradation through image and text, crafting a nuanced relationship that reveals power reversals and evokes empathy for nature under threat. This paper presents an ecocritical reading of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, challenging reductive views of Potter’s work as merely entertaining. It argues that the story serves a dual purpose—entertaining and educational—by critiquing anthropocentrism and promoting ecological literacy. Through ecocritical theory and picturebook analysis, this study decodes Potter’s implicit messages and positions her work within early environmental thought, underlining its enduring relevance to contemporary ecological issues.