To a Stray Dog explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Nature and Artifice

  The contrast between the natural dog and the artificial act of renaming it after a human.

• Deception and Self-Deception

  The narrator's playful self-deception about understanding the dog's name and etymology.

Characters to notice

• Unknown

  The speaker who addresses the stray dog and renames it.

• Towser

  The stray dog, initially called Towser, then rechristened Goucher.

Key passages

• “Well, Towser (I’m thinking your name must be Towser), You’re a decentish puppy as puppy dogs go, For you never, I’m sure, could have dined upon trowser, And your tail’s unimpeachably curled just so.”

  The narrator addresses a stray dog, guessing its name is Towser, and compliments its good behavior and appearance.

  Opens the poem with a friendly, whimsical tone.

• “So, Towser (or Toser), I mean to rename you In honor of some good and eminent man, In the light and the heat of whose quickening fame you May grow to an eminent dog if you can.”

  The narrator decides to rename the dog after a famous person, hoping the dog will become distinguished by association.

  Introduces the theme of renaming and aspiration.

• “Come here, sir. Stand up. I rechristen you Goucher. But damn you! I’ll shoot you if ever you Gouch!”

  The narrator formally renames the dog Goucher but immediately threatens to shoot it if it performs the undefined action of 'Gouching.'

  Ends the poem with a humorous and absurd threat.