ANIMALS AS MORAL AND NATURAL SYMBOLS IN MICHAEL MORPURGO'S FICTION

Michael Morpurgo’s fiction holds an important place in contemporary children’s literature because of its strong humanistic message and frequent use of animal imagery. In his works, animals are not only part of the storyline but also meaningful symbols that express moral values and ecological ideas. They often represent qualities such as kindness, loyalty, responsibility, and respect for life. This article examines how animal characters in Morpurgo’s fiction function as moral and ecological symbols and how they help readers understand ethical behavior and the relationship between humans and nature. By analyzing selected novels, the study shows that animal imagery plays a key role in developing empathy and environmental awareness among young readers. As a result, Morpurgo’s use of animals can be seen as an effective artistic and educational tool in modern children’s literature.迈克尔·莫波格（Michael Morpurgo）的小说凭借其鲜明的人文主义内涵与高频运用的动物意象，在当代儿童文学领域占据重要地位。在其作品中，动物不仅是故事情节的有机组成部分，更是承载道德价值观与生态理念的深意象征。它们往往代表着善良、忠诚、责任与敬畏生命等优质品格。本文探讨了莫波格小说中的动物角色如何作为道德与生态象征发挥作用，以及它们如何助力读者理解伦理行为与人与自然的关系。通过对选定小说的分析，本研究表明，动物意象在培养青年读者的共情能力与环境意识方面发挥着关键作用。由此可见，莫波格对动物形象的运用可被视为现代儿童文学中一种高效的艺术与教育工具。