English
A narrative poem “Dog’s Death” by John Updike tells us a story about the loss of a loved one, about the feelings that people experience while going through such a process. In this case the author writes about losing a dog, for the depiction of which he chooses to use the narrative form that is appropriate on such occasions.
John Updike in his poem treats the dog as a human being, part of his family, therefore, personifies an animal, maybe to stress the impact of the loss. The attitude towards the member of the family can be followed in the third line of the fourth stanza, where the author claims the surrounding love for the dog. In line fourteen it is stated “And my wife called in a voice imperious with tears”, which additionally signifies the love for an animal.
The third stanza of this poem shows us that not only adults in this family love this dog, but young did that as well. Family allowed the dog to crawl under child’s bed, play with kids, rest on their lap, which incarnates the real value of an animal to this family.
The following pain, and guilt revealed in the fourth and fifth stanzas make a reader reevaluate the attitude towards our friends, that sometimes can appear to be so unprotected, and helpless without our help.
“Dog’s Death” main idea is good known to people as every one of us has experienced the loss of a loved one some time. That is exact reason why this particular poem is so well received by the readers.
