The Farmer and His Dogs explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Human Nature and Vice

  The farmer's desperate actions highlight survival instincts and the harsh choices made under duress.

• Wisdom and Foolishness

  The Dogs' decision to flee demonstrates foresight and wisdom in avoiding a similar fate.

Characters to notice

• The Farmer

  Kills his sheep, goats, and oxen for food during a storm.

• The Dog

  Observes the killings and decides to escape to avoid being eaten.

• The Sheep

  First animal killed by the farmer for food.

• The Goat

  Second animal killed by the farmer as the storm continues.

• The Ox

  Last animal killed by the farmer when the storm shows no sign of improving.

Key passages

• “A Farmer was snowed up in his farmstead by a severe storm, and was unable to go out and procure provisions for himself and his family.”

  A farmer was trapped inside his farm by a heavy snowstorm, unable to get food for himself and his household.

  Sets the scene of desperation.

• “So he first killed his sheep and used them for food; then, as the storm still continued, he killed his goats; and, last of all, as the weather showed no signs of improving, he was compelled to kill his oxen and eat them.”

  He began by slaughtering his sheep for food, then his goats when the storm persisted, and finally his oxen when the weather did not let up.

  Describes the escalating sacrifice of livestock.

• “When his Dogs saw the various animals being killed and eaten in turn, they said to one another, “We had better get out of this or we shall be the next to go!””

  Seeing the pattern of killings, the Dogs told each other they should escape or they would be next.

  The Dogs' realization and decision to flee.