Dissertation
The Home Lives of Animal Objects: Disability Perspectives & Domestic Ecologies
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Spring 2026
DOI: 10.25820/etd.008289
Abstract
This dissertation examines human interactions with animal objects—manufactured items that imitate living creatures. It focuses on three types: flat-bottomed ducks, piggy banks, and the more abstract dust bunnies. Each chapter explores how each object relates to the species it mimics and situates it within ecological entanglements shaped by capitalist neglect. De-centering both ableism and anthropocentrism, I employ my method of “the disability graze,” an eco-performative response to the ever-present “gaze” felt by disabled bodies in public. By demonstrating this method throughout, I urge audiences to consider how animal objects can engage audiences in advancing alternative modes of eco-conscious storytelling that de-privilege dominant voices and dethrone oppressive bodily norms across species lines. Furthermore, I challenge the conventions of a typical dissertation by highlighting the scholarly and public importance of tactility and perspectives from differently abled individuals for studying animal objects and multispecies relations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Home Lives of Animal Objects: Disability Perspectives & Domestic Ecologies
- Creators
- Hallie Abelman
- Contributors
- Kim Marra (Advisor)Naomi Greyser (Advisor)Emerson Cram (Committee Member)Teresa Mangum (Committee Member)Eli Rodriguez Fielder (Committee Member)Una Chaudhuri (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- American Studies
- Date degree season
- Spring 2026
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.008289
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xiii, 174 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2026 Hallie Abelman
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/26/2026
- Description illustrations
- color illustrations
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 148-152).
- Academic Unit
- American Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9985177271602771
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