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With a name alluding to the all-time favourite joke category of my young self, this book immediately drew my attention as it played on a question I had no idea how to approach, let alone answer. Written by journalist Andrew Lawler, ‘Why did the chicken cross the world?‘ poses a novel dilemma that many would find puzzling. Is this a joke book? a cookbook? a rhetorical question used to prompt intrigue?
The answer, I was soon happily surprised to find, was both none and all of the above. With a wealth of information that would overwhelm the comedically small chicken-brain, this book is ideal for anyone looking to dig their teeth into the riveting life, complex biology and tumultuous history of the basic chook.
At a glance…
Lawler works to unearth the nested reasons that humans have kept chickens around for centuries, and overarchingly locates the bird as interwoven with our own stories. Regardless of where we voyaged, and whether it was to explore, plunder or ‘discover’, the chicken provided the ultimate tool of trade and peace as its initial exocitcness sparked interest, and its eventual reliability acting as the base for commonality. He thus utilises the chicken as a lens to examine the development of human civilisations, values, trends, and behaviours, as it evolved alongside us.
‘The animal remains a feathered Swiss Army Knife, a multipurpose beast that provides us with what we want in a given time and place’
Andrew Lawler, p. 5
Though the book encompasses a hefty series of explanations and investigations, for the sake of leaving its mysteries within its pages I will discuss just a few cases which struck my interest.
Myth & Meaning
The chicken has had as long a history as many civilizations, having played a central role in the belief and culture systems of various groups. Not only is this valuable for tracing the flightpath of the chicken across the world, but also tells us how we used to view it as a symbol of something much beyond what’s for dinner.
‘Gods, creeds, and dogmas appeared, vanished, and transformed, but the chicken became a constant and essential part of our worship’
Lawler, p. 49
From as early as 1300BC, the chicken was depicted on pottery within Ancient Egypt, however unlike the other fowl and poultry, it was not commonly buried as fuel for the mummified deceased. Instead, the chicken was a revered religious symbol with its power stemming from its notable connection with the sun. Those in agriculture have long valued the rooster’s unique ability to sense the sun before it rises, and similarly in Ancient civilizations it was used as both an alarm clock and a warning system. In Ancient China the chicken was considered symbolic of ‘the conquest of light over darkness‘, and garnered such religious authority that it still remains idolized as one of twelve zodiac signs.
The chicken’s allegiance to the sun centred its significance within many mythologies as the manifestation of various sun gods. Yet the Greek god Apollo is both the god of the sun – controlling the rise and set of day with his chariot – as well as healing, thus it is no coincidence that the chicken was also believed to be the cure to an endless array of ailments. As a result of the significance of what the chicken represented the bird garnered an aura of spiritual power, so much so that in some cultures it was banned from being eaten!
Culture & Communication
One of my favourite revelations from this book was the recognition of the ingrained presence of the chicken in our ways of communication.
‘Everything forgets….but not a language‘
George Steiner, p. 6
In much the same way that mythology continues to subliminally influence our modern day, Lawler underlines how the chicken has also cemented itself into our vocabulary. For such a ‘simple’ bird it embodies a complex range of behaviours which we as humans have identified as reflective of our own tendencies,
‘We are cocky or we chicken out…we hatch an idea, brood, and crow’.
Lawler, p. 6
Thus again becoming symbolic, the chicken this time reflects many of the human characteristics which we associate with the demeanor typical of the domesticated bird.
Evolution & Ethics
Today, most people wouldn’t give a chicken a second glance, however it is an unmistakably valuable subject of scientific research and has played a key role in the development of evolution theories first idealized by Charles Darwin. The novel launches into great depth of the bird’s genetic migration beyond its physical journey, and Lawler examines the biological evolution of the wild Red Jungle Fowl throughout his analysis of its broader cultural significance.
‘The Red Jungle Fowl, in other words, is nature’s Mr. Potato Head’
Lawler, p. 13
Referring to the popular toy with a malleable appearance, over time the chicken underwent a dramatic transformation as if on an episode of Queer Eye. With its genetic variation akin to ‘organic potter’s clay‘ (as Beebe noted while observing the Red Jungle Fowl), the chicken has been molded by humans in order to physically – as well as symbolically – fit whatever need arises. Both aesthetically and behaviourally, the modern chicken is unrecognisable from its jungle roots, a feature which has been hijacked on an industrial scale in various ways across the globe.
‘The chicken is so underestimated that it is legally invisible’
Lawler, p. 3
For example, with roots stemming from Roman influence, cockfighting still retains a sizeable following in regions with Latin influence. This also includes the Philippines where it continues to exist as a cultural facet akin to what some consider their ‘national identity’. Similarly to other sports which strategically breed animals for the sake of racing or competition, the chicken provided the perfect candidate as a result of its aforementioned ‘plasticity’.
Heavy international criticism regarding the ethics of the practice obviously causes consideration for a wealth of issues such as animal cruelty, however we also cannot ignore the hypocritical nature of some critiques. Though banned by the UK in 1835, they were once extremely popular across Europe and other western countries, as Lawler points out how the last cockfight in the USA did not take place until 2008.
‘Cockpits were once as common in British villages as they are in the Philippines today’,
Lawler, p. 101
While perhaps some are more concerned with WHO is partaking in the activity rather than WHAT they are doing, this remains a serious issue which should be addressed in accordance with wider animal rights issues such as the ethics and treatment of animals in industrial production. This isn’t a rant preaching extreme veganism or environmental activism (you can decide that for yourself), but rather a discussion to highlight that we cannot critique some forms of animal cruelty while completely ignoring its existence within structures that we adhere to every single day.
Conclusions & Comments
If you have read until this point you will have probably learned about 2% of the things in this book. With every page Lawler has succeeded in launching towards new directions, making more connections, and compiling more information on the chicken than I had even considered could exist. While at points I was mildly overwhelmed with dates and facts and ideas, the overarching symbolic, cultural, and scientific significance of the chicken is well celebrated, and certainly insightful.
In one foreboding section dedicated to the wonders of the egg, Lawler discusses its life-changing significance in the production of vaccines since the 1918 flu pandemic, and comments how:
‘a new pandemic is always a threat’
Lawler, p. 56
Having been published in 2014 this was a spooky coincidence as I read it during COVID-19 quarantining. But if this shows anything it’s the hidden prominence of the chicken in so much of our everyday – trust me, I now see chickens everywhere. This is the type of book that every time you read it you will learn something new, and if you love chickens….well it’s definitely for you.
References
Lawler, A. (2014). ‘Why did the chicken cross the world‘. Atria Books.
Great review!
And I remember that joke xx