Essay Questions

Is friendship emerging as the primary theme in the novel A dog of Flanders by Quida?

The theme of friendship is dominant throughout the text. Nello and his dog, Patrasche, are best acquaintances united by destiny. Both Nello and Patrasche are orphans. Nello found Patrasche on the roadside, left to pass away after his owner had died of an unknown disease. Nello took Patrasche home and gave him medication. When Patrasche fully recovered, he developed a strong bond with Nello, and they worked together as brothers. Patrasche accompanied Nello to the market and every other place he went to provide security and companionship.

What tragedy follows Nello after the death of his grandfather?

Nello is an orphaned boy living with his poor grandfather. Despite being a poor grandfather, he is a loving and caring person because he is always there for Nello whenever he needs help. Unfortunately, the grandfather dies, and life takes a bad trajectory for Nello. For instance, a series of misfortunes follow Nello. For instance, Nello becomes homeless. Since Nello and his friend Patrasche do not have a place to stay during winter, they are found frozen to death during winter beside the church. Therefore, the death of his grandfather is the worst thing that happened to Nello during his lifetime.

How does the author depict the sense of sight to readers?

The narrator’s description of the mud hut where Nello and his grandfather reside depicts the sense of sight. For instance, the narrator says, "It was very humble little mud-hut indeed, but it was clean and white as a sea-shell and stood in a small plot of garden ground that yielded beans and herbs and pumpkins." The imagery is important because it helps readers see the environment in which Nello and his grandfather live. In addition, the imagery shows readers that Nello and his grandfather are neat and organized people.