Background Context
‘A Dog’s Tale’ is an emotional short story by Mark Twain, first published in 1903. It follows a white terrier, named Sandy, around whom most of the story is centered. The story is set in America in the late 19th century and follows Sandy’s perspective as he struggles with his ability to grow old and die, much like humans do. The story follows the trials and tribulations of Sandy and ultimately ends in a tragic but triumphant death.
This short story has been widely acclaimed by critics as one of Twain’s greatest works and one of the first works to delve into animal emotions and feelings. The story is highly emotional, as evidenced by the protagonist’s repeated musings on life, death and the fragility of happiness. It speaks to the thoughts of a dog who, like most creatures, will inevitably have to grapple with the questions of mortality and life.
Analysis of Themes
The main theme of ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is the acceptance of death and the finality of life. This is highlighted by Sandy’s musings on his own mortality, and his thoughts on the fleeting nature of life. Twain communicates this theme not only through Sandy’s musings but also through the structure of the story – Sandy’s life and his rapid ageing are clearly illustrated through the various stages of his life and the way that time passes by quickly. The story not only highlights death as an inevitable part of life, but also life’s finality. Sandy muses that life ‘is a weird, grim thing, and is hard to bear’; a thought that reflects the tragic finality of life.
‘A Dog’s Tale’ is also a story about the power of friendship and loyalty. Sandy’s loyalty is tested throughout the story, yet is never questioned. Even when he is forced to abandon the family he loves so dearly, Sandy never shows any signs of resentment, and instead he brims with love and acceptance. Moreover, Twain’s characterisation of Sandy as a human-like character brings to light the importance of friendship among all creatures. Death touches Sandy as deeply as it touches humans and his friendship with the family who rescue him is shown to be a source of great strength throughout this traumatic period in his life.
Significance and Legacy
The influence and importance of ‘A Dog’s Tale’ has been felt through its powerful messages of mortality and loyalty. In an age where animal rights have become a central issue, this story frames death as something that all creatures must ultimately face, and it also centres friendship between humans and animals as a powerful source of strength and solace.
The story has also entered academia and provides an example of Twain at his most emotive and lyrical. His writing style is highly engaging and the story becomes increasingly touching as it advances.
From a literary standpoint, Twain achieves a delicate balance between the themes of mortality and emotion, and through Sandy’s musings with the limited vocabulary of a dog, he captures an array of complex and sometimes contradictory emotions. This has granted the story a significant amount of attention in literary circles, and it also presents a sharp contrast to Twain’s typical satirical and humorous writing.
Explanation of Symbolism
The name ‘Sandy’ which is given to the protagonist of the story is heavily loaded with symbolism. Firstly, Sandy is a common name given to a white terrier, which is the breed of the protagonist. It may also serve as a reference to the idea of mortality and the cyclical nature of life and death. The phrase ‘Sandy, the white terrier’ is used to signify the narrator’s pet dog in several subsequent stories, further emphasising the idea of a cycle for a white terrier; a cycle of birth, life, death and reincarnation.
The titular phrase of the story is also highly symbolic. As well as being a reference to the story itself and Sandy’s journey, ‘A Dog’s Tale’ can also be seen as a reference to the plural ‘Tales’ e.g. of morality and mortality.
Expert Perspectives
In a recent interview, Professor Terence Romm of Harvard University provided his perspective on the importance of ‘A Dog’s Tale’:
Mark Twain’s ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is truly a remarkable story. Not only does it allow us to gain insight into a dog’s perspective, but it provides an enlightening understanding of mortality and friendship in a time when animal rights were rarely considered. Twain’s ability to convey complex emotions in such a small number of words is truly a testament to his brilliance as a storyteller.
In a 2019 article for The New York Times, critic Ruby Boyd had this to say about the story:
What is truly remarkable about ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is Twain’s ability to capture the essence of a dog’s life so succinctly. He covers a wide range of topics and feelings, managing to move the reader with a few choice words. It is an emotional, poignant story, and Twains’s writing style has stood the test of time.
Further Exploration of Thematic Elements
Some key elements of the story are its narrative voice, the multiple genres that it draws from and its themes of morality. Twain is known for his use of humour and satire, but ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is distinguished by its relatively solemn nature. It is also fascinating to see Twain blending elements of realism, fantasy and satire in a way that has rarely been seen before.
The narrative voice of the story is a key point of discussion for many readers and critics. As a narrator, Sandy is both highly knowledgeable and deeply ignorant of certain facts, creating a voice that is both unique and believable. This allows Twain to explore some very opaque concepts, from mortality to loyalty and friendship, in a way that is both amusing and thought-provoking.
The themes of morality and mortality are explored in different ways throughout the story. On the one hand, the narrator muses on the meaninglessness and futility of life, creating a bittersweet atmosphere, however, he also pays tribute to the importance of living and being content. Sandy’s ultimate act of loyalty signifies the triumph of life and his belief in friendship over death, further emphasising the importance of life.
Attitude of Humanity Towards Animals and Their Rights
The attitude of humanity towards animals is a recurring theme throughout Twain’s works, although ‘A Dog’s Tale’ arguably offers the clearest example of his views. In the story, the protagonist is born and dies in a short space of time, symbolising the fragility of life and the power of death. Sandy is also treated as an equal by the humans who look after him, suggesting an underlying belief in animal rights. This is further emphasised by the narrator’s tribute to Sandy’s loyalty and reciprocal loving friendship with his human family members.
It is clear that ‘A Dog’s Tale’ reflects Twain’s attitudes towards the rights of animals. He believes that animals should be treated with respect, and that friendship between humans and animals is a powerful source of strength and solace. This is in line with the modern attitude to animal rights and echoes many of the themes of stories written since.
Relatability of ‘A Dog’s Tale’
In addition to being a masterpiece in its own right, ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is also extraordinarily relatable for many readers. One of the main criticisms often levied at Twain is that he often fails to make his stories tangible for readers, however, this is certainly not the case for ‘A Dog’s Tale’. Through Sandy’s musings and Twain’s beautiful narrative voice, readers are quickly drawn into the story and can easily connect with the themes of mortality, loyalty and friendship.
The story also works on a emotional level, with readers able to feel Sandy’s loss and grief as he is forced to accept the finality of life and death. By creating a story that is not only relatable but also highly emotive, Twain was able to draw in readers from all walks of life.
Comparisons With Twain’s Other Works
‘A Dog’s Tale’ is a fascinating story for many reasons, however, it is also interesting to examine it in the context of Twain’s other works. For example, the story has received a great deal of attention not only for its emotive qualities but also for its departure from the normal Twainian style. It is a story that is deeply solemn, without any of Twain’s usually reliable wit.
Comparisons can also be drawn to his other works in terms of the story’s themes and characters. The theme of admiration and respect for animals was explored in many of Twain’s other stories and novels, such as ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ and ‘The Prince and the Pauper’. Similarly, his usual disdain for human foibles and hypocrisy reappears in a more subtle way in ‘A Dog’s Tale’; for example, Sandy’s musings on death can be seen as a reflection of Twain’s own mortality.
Cultural Significance of ‘A Dog’s Tale’
‘A Dog’s Tale’ has a great deal of cultural significance, particularly within the context of animal rights. As one of the first works to put animal emotions and feelings to the forefront, it serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting animal rights and raising awareness of the issue. Twain’s powerful narrative voice allows readers to understand and connect with Sandy, and through his musings, they can gain a new appreciation of the love and loyalty that animals can provide.
The story has also been adopted by many literary circles and academics as an important example of Twain’s oeuvre. It is a story that continues to inspire and capture the imagination, and it stands out amongst Twain’s other works for its heartbreaking finale. As a result, ‘A Dog’s Tale’ remains a highly important and sometimes overlooked part of Twain’s literary canon.
