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A Dark Brown Dog Short Story

Decent Essays

Loss of Innocence
Have you ever imagined being a child brought up in an abusive home but still trusting that there was hope? It can be complicated to believe that hope does exist when there is no type of love or affection given to you by the individuals you look up to the most. The short story, “A Dark Brown Dog,” by Stephen Crane, shows that even in an abusive relationship one can find love using character, conflict and climax.
At the beginning of this short story, the author introduces a young child in his toddler years that is standing at a street corner, kicking up gravel. A small dark brown dog with a cut rope wrapped around his neck approaches the child with uncertainty, but still is brave enough to exchange friendly body language. This is expressed when Crane writes, “When the young boy puts out his hand and called the dog. In an apologetic manner, the dog came closer and the two had an interchange of friendly patting’s and wagging’s. “The dog gets excited and almost trips the child, so in return the child hits the dog. The reaction the dogs gives to this abuse, the child finds humorous. The dog accepts how the child is towards him and continues to follow him home. Throughout this story the young child and dog develop a loyal and hopeful relationship. The author states this when he mentions the devotion to the child grew into a sublime thing (Crane 3). They learn the true meaning of friendship and love regardless of their circumstances that take place within the

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