Bulldog Analysis

            Through Arthur Miller's unique, yet twisted, childish dialogue in "Bulldog," we are able to truly appreciate his short story. Miller's characterization, childlike imagery, and use of numerous symbols assist in showing the young boy's loss of innocence and spontaneity that make the perfect combination for an entertaining short story.
             Miller characterizes the young boy in a discrete way to reveal the loss of innocence and show his resurgence from the loss. Miller uses the train ride to the woman's house to show the young boy's independence; this helps the boy transition to a higher level of maturity. The young boy acknowledges the fact that his family is poor and goes out to earn his own money, which he uses to purchase the puppy. In addition, the boy reads the newspaper daily; most adults do not even pick up a newspaper once a week. When the boy arrives at the woman's home, "he told her [he was] thirteen she clapped a hand over her mouth and said that he was very tall for his age" (Miller, 73). At the end of the story the boy is mature, for example, when he loses the dog he is rational in his thinking of how to explain to Lucille about losing the dog. Miller is foreshadowing that the boy in the end of the story is more mature and different than a normal 13 year old. Miller applies these examples to demonstrate the level of maturity, intelligence, and independence of the young boy. His initial loss of innocence is comforted by these three factors because he is able to deal with the loss better than a typical teenager. Miller gives a typical name to the dog to show that the dog was not different than a normal dog. At the end of the story the dog eats a cake and is unable to handle himself. On the other hand, when the boy goes through an overwhelming experience, he is able to be rational in his thinking and figures out a way to release his emotions by playing the piano, unlike the dog's reaction.