Symbolism In A Dark Brown Dog

Slavery Freed

The short story, A Dark Brown Dog, entices the reader before the story begins with words. The title brings the focus on what the story will be about, a dark brown dog which represents a man who has been freed from slavery. A little boy takes in this dog and throughout his experience lies a scattered amount of symbolism, the main element used in this short story. This story represents the events occurring in 1890, known as Jim Crow. This time period is retold throughout the characterization of the dad, the little dog, and the little boy. The time period after the Civil War is known as Jim Crow, during this time equality was on the rise and slaves had been liberated. However, that was not all that was occurring in the Unites States, many of the blacks were kept as slaves. The dark brown dog enters the story, symbolizing a former slave. The little brown dog is introduced with a rope around his neck, symbolizing the former slavery he had recently been freed of. The dog was seen by the little boy, tripping over the rope tied around his neck, representing the newfound freedom he had and his lack of understanding

It is important to note though, the new generations do not contain power. One night when the father comes home in an angry drunken rage, the little boy hides under the table. The luck was not in the little black dog’s favor however. The father takes the poor dog down by his leg, and chucks the dog out of the window. The South is suffering and Jim Crow is not harshly enforced. The dog crashes five stories below and is incapable of standing on his feet again. Supposedly this act resembles lynching, the life blood that enforced Jim Crow Laws. After all, the wife and child could not do anything to save the carcass. It is unlikely to fight against the one who provided for them. The wife and little boy had to accept the way of the world and continue on with