Deciphering Wangerin's Dun Cow: An Allusive Tale

Why did Wangerin decide to use a cow as the father of his story? The Dun Cow was a silent yet talkative cow that Chauntacleer would wrestle with throughout the book. The cow’s function is just as confusing as the book. Wangerin uses analogies and strong allusions to display the cow’s comfort, provision, and Godliness throughout the story.

What a comfort that came over Chauntacleer, as a Dun Cow lay beside him with the outmost reverence. Though it never spoke a word, a feeling of comfort came from the Dun Cow throughout Chauntacleer’s inner most being.

This comforting role the cow plays in this story is like none other. It’s seen in each instance the cow appears to Chauntacleer. The cow somehow, without ever saying a word comforts a stuck up rooster like Chauntacleer. Her functions are simple, to be with the rooster in the quiet, to be with the rooster in spirit, and to be with the rooster in life. “He lay dazed, and then it was that the Dun Cow came to him” (Wangerin 139). The Dun Cow first came to Chauntacleer while he was alone in his coop dazed. She was with him in the quietness of his coop, laying with him and being there for him.

For some reason, the cow seemed real to chauntacleer,

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need” (Luke 12:31). Just like God, the Dun Cow gives Chauntacleer everything he needs even though Chauntacleer refuses to realize it at the time. God puts certain people in your life for certain reasons. The Dun Cow revealed that Mundo Cani and Pertelote were in Chauntacleer’s life for a specific reason. Chauntacleer would find out that reason at the end of the book. The Book of the Dun Cow is the story of God in the life of a rooster, and how God transformed that proud peacock into a faithful follower of