The menagerie of Berggasse 19: An animal studies rereading of Freud’s classic case studies

Abstract This article explores Freud’s original engagement with animal symbols, characters, and stories in his case studies “Little Hans,” “The Rat Man,” and “The Wolf Man.” Employing insights from animal studies, the article examines Freud’s views on the human-animal continuum as well as the phenomena of anthropomorphism and zoomorphism, via which human characteristics are affixed to animals and animal characteristics to humans. Also examined is the symbolism surrounding the animals appearing in the fairy tales referenced by Freud’s patients, including “Little Red Riding Hood.” We end by considering the contributions that Freud can make to the expanding field of animal studies.