An Analysis Of Dogs Death, By John Updike - 1602 Words

â€Å"Dog’s Death† The poem, â€Å"Dog’s Death,† written by John Updike brings the reader through a sentimental and heart-wrenching journey, with the life gone too soon, of a beautiful puppy that passes away from a traumatic injury. The poem does not reveal the owner of the puppy, but we do know that the narrator is a man, a father, and a husband when Updike states, â€Å"Monday morning, as the children were noisily fed† and â€Å"I stroked her warm fur / And my wife† (592). The owner could be Updike or someone else. He allows the reader to share in the family’s grief and heartbreak in the loss of their beloved puppy. The death of a family pet can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a person’s life. This poem is a reminder to anyone who has ever lost†¦show more content†¦She is still loyal and a â€Å"Good dog† (592) to her family, even on her deathbed. Throughout his poem, Updike’s tone is sympathetic, somber, and sorrowful when he tells us about the death of his puppy. The reader knows that she was loved unconditionally when he relays these heartbreaking words, â€Å"Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her, / Nevertheless she sank and, stiffening, disappeared† (592). Updike lets the reader know that if love could have saved her she had more than enough love from her family to have kept her alive. The feelings and emotions for the puppy show the bond that is formed between animals and their families. Updike’s words are chosen to bring the reader into the emotions surrounding his poem and, in addition, his use of symbolism guides the reader through a much deeper meaning. For example, the word choice that he uses for the following line brings the reader to a very sorrowful place in his poem when he states, â€Å"And her heart was learning to lie down forever† (592) after an autopsy determined that his puppy has a ruptured liver. The poem line hints at the deeper meaning to show a dog command, â€Å"lie down†, that he used while training her. She is still learning and worthy of the words, â€Å"Good Dog!† even in death. Another example of symbolism used is the newspaper, when Updike states, â€Å"Back home, we found that in the night her frame, / Drawing near to dissolution, hadShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis of Dogs Death by John Updike and I Used to Live Here Once by Jean Rhys2768 Words   |  11 Pagesï » ¿Introduction Explore any primitive culture and you are likely to unearth taboos about death. Whether universal or not, there appears to be a propensity for not saying aloud those thing that will attract the attention of bad spirits, the evil eye, or the grim reaper. Looking away from evil is believed to keep one safe from harm. It is no wonder then, that the superstitious behavior of humans extends to death as if it were an unnatural event instead of a completely natural milestone albeit, the finalRead MoreUnderstanding Relationships in Emily Dickinsons Because I Could Not Stop for Death and John Updikes Dogs Death1796 Words   |  7 PagesEmily Dickinsons Because I could not stop for death and John Updikes Dogs Death both trigger intense feelings in readers as a result of the concepts that they relate to. Through emphasizing feelings experienced by the main characters with regard to individuals they love, these two authors want readers to get a more complex understanding of relationships that develop between individuals who truly comprehend the importance of love. To a certain degree one might feel inclined to consider thatRead MoreDogs Death Analysis797 Words   |  4 PagesDog’s Death Analysis Gail Kidder ENG125 – English Literature Prof Kristen McClure December 10, 2012 Dog’s Death by John Updike really touched me when I read it for the first time. His use of imagery in this poem is very touching. He makes the reader relate to the death of the dog by showing through his words the emotions of what the dog is going through as well as what his owners are feeling. This paper will show how I think the author was trying to use imagery to show the love betweenRead MoreThe taste of melon by borden deal11847 Words   |  48 Pageshayloft, looking fiercely out over his melon patch. I’d sit there by the hour and watch him, the shotgun cradled in his arm, and feel the tremors of fear and excitement chasing up and down my spine. â€Å"Look at him,† my father would say. â€Å"Scared to death somebody will steal his seed melon. Wouldn’t anybody steal a man’s seed melon.† â€Å"He ought to be in the house taking care of that wife of his,† my mother would say tartly. â€Å"She’s been poorly all year.† You hardly ever saw Mrs. Wills. She was a wraith