“Dog’s Death” by John Updike: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

“Dog’s Death” by John Updike was initially published in 1965 as a broadside, a single sheet of paper printed on one side. The poem subsequently appeared in Updike’s 1966 collection, Midpoint and Other Poems. This free verse elegy for Updike’s family dog is characterized by its accessible yet potent language, unsentimental yet poignant tone, and vivid imagery. Thematic explorations of loss, mortality, and the human-animal bond contribute to the poem’s enduring appeal. Critics have lauded “Dog’s Death” for its honesty, emotional depth, and ability to capture the universal experience of grief.

Text: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car.
Too young to know much, she was beginning to learn
To use the newspapers spread on the kitchen floor
And to win, wetting there, the words, “Good dog! Good dog!”

We thought her shy malaise was a shot reaction.
The autopsy disclosed a rupture in her liver.
As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin
And her heart was learning to lie down forever.

Monday morning, as the children were noisily fed
And sent to school, she crawled beneath the youngest’s bed.
We found her twisted and limp but still alive.
In the car to the vet’s, on my lap, she tried

To bite my hand and died. I stroked her warm fur
And my wife called in a voice imperious with tears.
Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her,
Nevertheless she sank and, stiffening, disappeared.

Back home, we found that in the night her frame,
Drawing near to dissolution, had endured the shame
Of diarrhoea and had dragged across the floor
To a newspaper carelessly left there.  Good dog.

Annotations: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

Line	Annotation
She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car.	The poem opens with uncertainty about the cause of the dog’s injury, suggesting a sudden and unexpected event.
Too young to know much, she was beginning to learn	The dog’s youth and innocence are emphasized, highlighting the tragedy of her untimely death.
To use the newspapers spread on the kitchen floor	A mundane detail of domestic life becomes poignant in light of the dog’s impending demise.
And to win, wetting there, the words, “Good dog! Good dog!”	The dog’s eagerness to please and the simple joy of praise are contrasted with the bleak reality of her fate.
We thought her shy malaise was a shot reaction.	The family’s initial misdiagnosis underscores their lack of awareness of the dog’s internal injuries.
The autopsy disclosed a rupture in her liver.	The clinical language of the autopsy report starkly contrasts with the emotional impact of the dog’s death.
As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin	The juxtaposition of playful interaction with the dog’s deteriorating condition heightens the pathos.
And her heart was learning to lie down forever.	This line foreshadows the dog’s imminent death and introduces the theme of mortality.
Monday morning, as the children were noisily fed	The routine of daily life continues, unaware of the tragedy unfolding.
And sent to school, she crawled beneath the youngest’s bed.	The dog seeks comfort in a familiar place as her life ebbs away.
We found her twisted and limp but still alive.	The dog’s suffering is evident, creating a sense of urgency and helplessness.
In the car to the vet’s, on my lap, she tried	The dog’s final attempt to connect with her owner is both touching and heartbreaking.
To bite my hand and died. I stroked her warm fur	The dog’s death is swift and final, leaving the owner with only the memory of her warmth.
And my wife called in a voice imperious with tears.	The wife’s grief is raw and overwhelming, underscoring the depth of the family’s loss.
Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her,	The futility of love in the face of death is a central theme of the poem.
Nevertheless she sank and, stiffening, disappeared.	The dog’s physical decline mirrors her fading life force.
Back home, we found that in the night her frame,	The discovery of the dog’s final actions adds another layer of grief and guilt.
Drawing near to dissolution, had endured the shame	The dog’s dignity is compromised in her final moments, intensifying the tragedy.
Of diarrhoea and had dragged across the floor	The graphic description of the dog’s bodily functions adds to the sense of degradation and loss.
To a newspaper carelessly left there. Good dog.	The repetition of “Good dog” takes on a new, ironic meaning in the context of the dog’s death.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

Literary Device	Example from “Dog’s Death”	Explanation
Alliteration	“She sank and, stiffening, disappeared.”	The repetition of the ‘s’ sound emphasizes the finality of the dog’s death.
Allusion	“She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car.”	A subtle reference to the hidden dangers in life that can cause harm unexpectedly.
Anaphora	“Good dog! Good dog!”	The repetition of this phrase highlights the dog’s attempt to be good and the owner’s approval.
Assonance	“And her heart was learning to lie down forever.”	The repetition of the ‘a’ sound in “heart” and “learning” creates a mournful tone.
Connotation	“Shy malaise”	The word “malaise” suggests a vague feeling of illness, hinting at something serious without stating it directly.
Consonance	“Crawled beneath the youngest’s bed.”	The repetition of the ‘d’ sound at the end of “crawled” and “bed” adds a sense of finality and closure.
Euphemism	“Her heart was learning to lie down forever.”	A gentle way to say the dog was dying, softening the harsh reality of death.
Hyperbole	“Imperious with tears.”	The use of “imperious” exaggerates the wife’s emotional state, emphasizing her grief.
Imagery	“Stroked her warm fur”	This creates a vivid picture of the tender moment between the owner and the dying dog.
Irony	“Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her, / Nevertheless she sank”	Despite the care and love, the dog still died, highlighting the powerlessness of the family.
Metaphor	“Her heart was learning to lie down forever.”	The heart “learning to lie down” is a metaphor for dying.
Mood	The overall mood is somber and reflective.	The mood is created through the description of the dog’s suffering and the family’s sorrow.
Onomatopoeia	“And sent to school, she crawled beneath the youngest’s bed.”	The word “crawled” mimics the sound and movement of the dog’s actions.
Oxymoron	“Imperious with tears.”	Combining “imperious” (commanding) with “tears” (suggesting sadness) creates a striking contrast.
Personification	“Her heart was learning to lie down forever.”	The heart is given human qualities of learning and lying down, emphasizing the inevitability of death.
Repetition	“Good dog! Good dog!”	Repetition emphasizes the owner’s praise and affection for the dog.
Simile	“As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin”	The use of “as” compares the playful teasing to the unnoticed internal bleeding, creating a stark contrast.
Symbolism	“The newspapers spread on the kitchen floor”	The newspapers symbolize training, learning, and the dog’s attempts to be good.
Tone	The tone is mournful and reflective.	The tone is conveyed through the choice of words and the focus on the dog’s suffering and death.
Understatement	“She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car.”	The casual mention of a serious injury downplays the severity of the dog’s condition.

Themes: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

• Mortality and Death: The poem explores the theme of mortality and death, highlighting the finality and irreversibility of loss. The lines “As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin / And her heart was learning to lie down forever” (7-8) poignantly describe the dog’s internal suffering, while “In the car to the vet’s, on my lap, she tried / To bite my hand and died” (11-12) convey the moment of death. The image of the dog’s heart “learning to lie down forever” is particularly striking, emphasizing the irreversible nature of death.
• Love and Loss: The poem highlights the deep love and affection the family had for the dog, making their loss all the more poignant. The lines “Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her, / Nevertheless she sank and, stiffening, disappeared” (15-16) suggest that even the family’s love was not enough to save the dog. The family’s grief is palpable, with the wife’s “voice imperious with tears” (13) and the speaker’s tender stroking of the dog’s “warm fur” (13) conveying their emotional pain.
• Vulnerability and Suffering: The poem shows the dog’s vulnerability and suffering, emphasizing the fragility of life. The opening lines “She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car” (1) suggest the dog’s susceptibility to harm, while “Back home, we found that in the night her frame, / Drawing near to dissolution, had endured the shame / Of diarrhea and had dragged across the floor” (17-19) graphically describe the dog’s physical distress. The use of words like “shame” and “dissolution” underscores the dog’s helplessness and the family’s powerlessness to prevent its suffering.
• Guilt and Regret: The poem expresses the family’s guilt and regret for not recognizing the dog’s illness earlier, highlighting the tension between their love for the dog and their inability to prevent its death. The lines “We thought her shy malaise was a shot reaction” (5) suggest that the family misjudged the severity of the dog’s condition, while “We found her twisted and limp but still alive” (10) convey their shock and regret at discovering the dog’s true state. The speaker’s introspection and self-reproach are evident in the lines “She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car” (1), implying that they should have been more vigilant and protective.

Literary Theories and “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

Literary Theory	Description	Reference from the Poem
Psychoanalytic Theory	Explores the unconscious thoughts, feelings, and desires of the speaker, highlighting the emotional complexity of the poem.	“We thought her shy malaise was a shot reaction” (5) – The speaker’s unconscious guilt and regret are revealed in this line, as they realize they misjudged the dog’s condition.
Symbolism	Analyzes the use of symbols in the poem to convey deeper meanings, such as the dog representing innocence, love, and mortality.	“Newspapers spread on the kitchen floor” (3) – The newspapers symbolize the domestic routine and ordinary life that is disrupted by the dog’s death.
Existentialism	Examines the poem’s themes of mortality, suffering, and the absurdity of life, highlighting the speaker’s existential crisis.	“As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin / And her heart was learning to lie down forever” (7-8) – These lines emphasize the existential reality of death and the fragility of life.

Critical Questions about “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

• How does Updike portray the complex emotions of grief and loss in the poem?
• Updike’s portrayal of grief is raw and unvarnished. The speaker’s wife calls “in a voice imperious with tears,” expressing the rawness of her sorrow. The speaker himself strokes the dog’s “warm fur” as she dies, highlighting the physicality of loss. The discovery of the dog’s final, degrading act of dragging herself to the newspaper adds another layer of sorrow and guilt. The poem’s final line, “Good dog,” repeated ironically, encapsulates the complex mix of love, loss, and regret that accompanies the death of a beloved pet.
• What role does imagery play in conveying the poem’s themes?
• Vivid imagery is central to the poem’s emotional power. The dog’s “twisted and limp” body, her attempt to “bite my hand and died,” and the graphic description of her final moments create a visceral sense of the dog’s suffering and the family’s pain. The contrast between the dog’s “warm fur” and her “stiffening” body underscores the finality of death. The mundane image of the newspaper, initially associated with the dog’s training, takes on a tragic significance in the poem’s closing lines.
• How does the poem explore the relationship between humans and animals?
• “Dog’s Death” delves into the deep bond between humans and their animal companions. The dog’s eagerness to please, her love for the family, and her final attempt to connect with the speaker in the car all demonstrate the depth of this relationship. The poem also highlights the power imbalance inherent in this bond, as the humans ultimately fail to protect the dog from harm. The final scene, where the dog seeks out the newspaper in her last moments, suggests a poignant attempt to maintain her role in the family even in death.
• What is the significance of the poem’s structure and language?
• The poem’s free verse structure mirrors the unpredictable and chaotic nature of death. The lack of formal rhyme or meter allows for a more conversational tone, enhancing the poem’s emotional authenticity. Updike’s use of simple, direct language, combined with vivid imagery, makes the poem accessible yet profound. The repetition of the phrase “Good dog” throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis, while its final, ironic use adds a layer of complexity to the poem’s meaning.

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statement about “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Theme of Mortality and Loss	How does John Updike convey the inevitability of death in “Dog’s Death”?	Updike uses the progression of the dog’s suffering and the family’s helplessness to underscore the inevitability of mortality and the profound impact of loss.
Emotional Impact of the Narrative	What literary devices does Updike use to evoke an emotional response from the reader?	Updike employs imagery, juxtaposition, and repetition to evoke a deep emotional response, highlighting the family’s grief and the dog’s suffering.
Role of Domestic Life in the Poem	How does the setting of domestic life contrast with the events of the poem?	The contrast between the mundane aspects of domestic life and the dog’s tragic death emphasizes the intrusion of unexpected tragedy into everyday existence.
Human-Animal Bond	How is the bond between the family and the dog depicted in the poem?	The bond between the family and the dog is depicted through tender interactions and the family’s deep grief, illustrating the profound emotional connections humans form with their pets.

Literary Works Similar to “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

1. “The Death of the Hired Man” by Robert Frost: This poem explores themes of mortality and the passage of time, much like “Dog’s Death.” It focuses on the death of a familiar figure in a domestic setting, evoking a deep sense of loss and reflection.
2. “What the Dog Perhaps Hears” by Lisel Mueller: Lisel Mueller’s poem invites us to ponder the sounds beyond human perception, imagining what the world might be like through the ears of a dog.
3. “The House Dog’s Grave (Haig, an English Bulldog)” by Robinson Jeffers: Jeffers’ poem is an elegy for a pet dog, highlighting the loyalty and companionship shared between the dog and its owner, echoing the themes of love and loss found in “Dog’s Death.”
4. “Lament for a Dead Cow” by Francis Carey Slater: Although it focuses on a cow, this poem expresses grief over the death of an animal that played a significant role in daily life, paralleling the sorrow and sense of loss depicted in Updike’s poem.
5. “A Dog Has Died” by Pablo Neruda: Neruda’s poem reflects on the death of his dog with a blend of melancholy and affection, emphasizing the unique bond between the poet and his pet, akin to the emotional depth in “Dog’s Death.”

Suggested Readings: “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

• Updike, John. Midpoint and Other Poems. Knopf, 1966.
• “Dog’s Death by John Updike.” https://hellopoetry.com/poem/10222/dogs-death/
• The John Updike Society. “The John Updike Society.” The John Updike Society,

Representative Quotations from “Dog’s Death” by John Updike

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“She must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car.”	The opening line, setting the tone for the poem	Existentialism: Highlights the absurdity and uncertainty of life, emphasizing the dog’s vulnerability.
“To use the newspapers spread on the kitchen floor / And to win, wetting there, the words, ‘Good dog! Good dog!'”	Describes the dog’s learning process and interaction with the family	Symbolism: The newspapers symbolize domestic routine, and the words “Good dog!” represent the family’s love and approval.
“As we teased her with play, blood was filling her skin / And her heart was learning to lie down forever”	Reveals the dog’s internal suffering and impending death	Psychoanalytic Theory: Exposes the speaker’s unconscious guilt and regret for not recognizing the dog’s condition earlier.
“Though surrounded by love that would have upheld her, / Nevertheless she sank and, stiffening, disappeared”	Emphasizes the family’s love and the dog’s inevitable death	Existentialism: Highlights the existential reality of death, emphasizing the limits of human love and control.
“Good dog.”	The final line, a eulogy to the deceased dog	Symbolism: The phrase “Good dog” symbolizes the family’s enduring love and memory of the dog, transcending death.