The House Behind the Cedars is set in the house where Chesnutt lived and often regarded as a reminiscence of his childhood. In fact, the image of “the house behind the cedars” resembles that of a primitive nest, implying the proposition that “man is an animal”, which is contrary to the mainstream discourse at that time. Chesnutt veiled the theme of the novel with this unique scene, prompting readers to explore the implied meaning of “the house behind the cedars”. In addition, the elaborately-coined metaphors of animal hint connections between “species discrimination” and “racial discrimination”, and profoundly interpret the interdependent relationship between humanity and the animal nature. While criticizing the racist system, this novel also is a pioneer of the Animal Liberation Movement in the West.