The poem ‘A Dog Has Died’ by Pablo Neruda is an expansive and melancholic piece that pays homage to a dog that has passed from the narrator’s life. The poem is written using simple and direct language, providing a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the dog, the narrator, and the reader. Neruda’s piece is beloved by many and has been translated into numerous languages, and despite being written a few decades ago, it remains one of the most recognizable poems of all time.
The poem begins with a playful description of the dog exploring the narrator’s home, and loving every nook and cranny of it. This allows the reader to form an emotionally-engaging relationship with the dog, leading to a gradual loss of innocence throughout the poem. One of the most memorable lines in the poem reads “my old and sudden friend, rest your head.” It serves as a reminder that death is an inevitable part of life and that even in our most intimate moments of love, death can sneak in and take away our joy.
The poem’s narrative shifts in the fourth stanza with the line “as a cluster of flowers in a meadow grows.” It is here that Neruda acknowledges that the dog’s presence has in essence become a part of nature. Though its presence can still be felt, it will one day fade away with the rest of the natural world as does all life. This theme of mortality is recurrent throughout the poem, with the narrator desperately trying to cling on to the fleeting moments of time leaving the reader with an inevitable sense of sadness.
Any analysis of ‘A Dog has Died’ would be incomplete without a discussion of Neruda’s remarkable use of metaphor. These metaphors serve as a tool to bridge the gap between humans and animals in a way that is exquisite yet subtle. One of the most memorable metaphors used in this poem is “my dog was a fireworks that had/buried itself in my heart/ as a star in the well/ as a word under the ashes of its own death.” This says so much with just a few simple words, bringing forth a level of emotion that can only be accomplished by the greatest poets.
The poem ends with the line “while my dog disappears little by little, / I guess the earth swallows him up.” This poem’s title, ‘A Dog Has Died’, tells us that death is an ever-constant part of life, and it is this message of mortality punctuated by a compassionate relationship between man and animal that makes it so powerful. Even with its simplicity, Pablo Neruda manages to capture the death of a beloved pet as both celebratory and mournful.
Emotive Language
In the poem, Neruda employs a range of emotive language to provoke a sense of sorrow in the reader. Throughout the poem the narrator speaks of the dog’s death in a reverential fashion showing us just how deeply attached he was to the animal. He speaks of the dog with terms such as ‘my old sudden friend’ and ‘my faithful companion’ which serve to highlight the unique bond between them. By juxtaposing the language of attachment and celebration of life with descriptions of death, the narrator can express his conflicting emotions which intensifies the poignancy of the poem and leaves the reader with a deep sense of grief.
The poem also contains many hints of nostalgia and the regret that comes from the ending of an era. The dog’s ‘three leaps of joy’ is a powerful metaphor for the affectionate energy that exists between a dog and its owner, and the hint of longing in ‘I sleep and dream of it’s return’ serves to work as a reminder of the sadness that accompanies death.
Neruda’s use of emotive language serves to create an intimate connection between himself, the dog and the reader, resulting in an emotionally-evocative narrative that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Poetic Devices
A Dog Has Died is a delightful poem and Neruda has employed a range of poetic devices to bring vibrancy and poignancy to the piece. In particular, his use of metaphor is exquisite and serves to create an intimate relationship not just between the narrator and the dog, but also between the author and the reader. The metaphors create a strong emotional bond between the narrator, the dog and us, enabling us to share in his loss.
By using personification the narrator can ascribe human emotions to his pet, allowing the reader to form a strong attachment to the animal. Some memorable examples of his use of personification are when he speaks of the dog as if it had the capacity for thought; ‘it trotted off, deep in its gambol’ and ‘it was the dawn, and the dog enjoyed it, astonished’. These simple yet powerful lines leave the reader with an engaging and sorrowful feeling, reminiscent of someone looking back on past memories.
Neruda shall also use a wide range of sensory imagery which enables us to imagine what it was like to be in the moment as the narrator and the dog shared in intimate moments. Such imagery provides us with fleeting snapshots of the deep and meaningful connection between them, with features such as ‘the tender sheet of the night’ and ‘the flower beds’ being effective means of descriptive language.
Urban Setting
The urban setting in ‘A Dog Has Died’ serves to enhance the poignancy of the poem. The narrator’s home is described as ‘the ancient street’; a street of stone and dust, replaced by newer buildings that no longer contain the memories of the past but only serve to remind us of the impermanence of life. This serves to create a powerful juxtaposition between the life and death being experienced in the present.
The urban street also provides an opportunity for the narrator to grieve through the relentless pursuits of daily life. This can be seen in the poem when it mentions leaves ‘fluttering in the sun’ and people ‘rolling down the street’; people living and breathing in the absence of the beloved pet. This sense of normality within the midst of death serves to remind us of the sadness and insecurity that accompanies loss.
Symbolism
Pablo Neruda employs an interesting use of symbolism in A Dog Has Died to represent the idea of life, death and mourning. The most prominent symbol in the poem is the dog itself, which is often associated with loyalty, companionship and love – elements that the narrator has clearly built a strong relationship with. It is fitting, then, that the dog’s death should be used to explore these deeper meanings.
In addition to the dog, the poem also employs symbols of birth and death, such as the ‘cluster of flowers in a meadow’ and the ‘three leaps of joy’. The former symbolises the fragility of life while the latter represents the pain and loss felt in the aftermath of death. In both cases, Neruda turns to symbols to express his grief in a way that is both poetic and emotive.
Themes
The poem ‘A Dog Has Died’ is a heart-wrenching commentary on the power of love, loss, and mortality. Throughout the poem, the narrator demonstrates his strong attachment to the dog and his willingness to accept the necessities of death. In doing so, Neruda expresses a range of emotions, such as anguish, sadness, and longing, all contained within a few short stanzas.
The poem also explores the idea of being forced to let go, and how it is a part of life even when it is accompanied by sadness and grief. Neruda also explores the connections between human companionship and that of animals as he uses the respectful language of attachment and pain to weave a narrative that expresses both admiration and mourning.
Finally, the poem provides us with a story of hope; that pause of hope the narrator experiences when he dreams of the dog’s return. Through it, Neruda reminds us of the importance of cherishing life and accepting the pain that comes with death.
