Themes · 1900
In a few generations more, there will probably be no room at all allowed for animals on the earth: no need of them, no toleration of them. An immense agony will have then ceased, but with it there will also have passed away the last smile of the world’s youth.
— Ouida · The Quality of Mercy
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Ouida imagines a future with no place for animals. She suggests their agony would end, but the world would also lose something joyful. Her grief is bittersweet, treating animals as the world's last smile of youth.
Context reviewed