I remember thinking once that a deer is not merely the animal - its a part of a larger context of a forest with adjoining fields or meadows. The animal out of context (zoo, in a city, in outer space) may become a different animal with differing behaviors, strategies, perhaps even life purpose. Think of a wolf vs. a dog.
For characters, and people, understanding and sometimes changing that context, could bring about substantial changes in the person.
I remember thinking once that a deer is not merely the animal - its a part of a larger context of a forest with adjoining fields or meadows. The animal out of context (zoo, in a city, in outer space) may become a different animal with differing behaviors, strategies, perhaps even life purpose. Think of a wolf vs. a dog.
For characters, and people, understanding and sometimes changing that context, could bring about substantial changes in the person.