Analyzing "dog's Death"

Analyzing "Dog's Death" by John Updike

I chose to analyze the poem "Dog's Death" by John Updike. The reason that is chose this poem was due to that fact that the emotion and sympathy that the Updike had for his dog is very relatable on many levels for me. The death of a dog emotionally is comparable to the loss of a family member and I believed that the writer and his family viewed it in the same way.

I felt that the tone that was set changed throughout the course of the poem. Frist you had confusion and disarray of what was happening with their beloved dog. Next the tone was that of a sad love for the dog as she died trying to bite the hand of the writer. Last was the sympathy that the writer had for the dog in its final hours. I also consider that the sympathy of the entire poem was written not just for the dog but for the writer's family as well. Like the text stated, the tone of this poem was "designed to fire up feelings". (Clugston, 2010)

John Updike use of detail in the wording of this poem plays a key role for the reader's imagination. Updike paints a picture with his words to inform the reader of the situation. I believe that the strongest example of this was when Updike wrote "We found her twisted and limp but still alive." (Clugston, 2010) To me, I felt that the writer consider this to be almost surreal. The use of the metaphor "And her heart was learning to lie down forever" (Clugston, 2010) also helped draw the readers imagination into what was taking place. The reader can also imagine and relate to how the writer and his family feel about the loss of the dog.

I felt that Updike wrote this poem not to escape but more to vent instead. I would like to believe that this dog must have played a significant role in Updike life and in his family.

"I stroked her warm fur

And my wife called in a voice imperious with tears. ." (Clugston, 2010)

I consider that this quote for Updike's poem shows the emotion that he and his wife had for their pet. As he stroked the dog it was a sigh that he was not ready for the dog to go and not willing to believe that the dog was gone. With his wife calling out was a sign of anger and helplessness, knowing that she had no control over the situation.

I think that John Updike was trying to create an emotional connection to share with his readers. This emotional connection is something that any dog lover would fell sympathetic for and could relate to. I felt that my connection with Updike's poem was that I could relate to how him and his family felt considering that I have been through a similar situation. Having a dog that you consider to be part of your family is a hard thing to lose. Updike was just reaching out to his readers. I believe that he used what