No Dogs Bark: An Analysis of Juan Rulfo’s Short Story

Introduction

Juan Rulfo’s short story “No Dogs Bark” (written in 1954) is a complex narrative that has been the subject of numerous interpretations. The story is set in a small, rural Mexican village and follows the journey of a man named Pedro who is searching for his father, who has been gone for some time. The story is told from the point of view of an omniscient narrator and touches on themes of identity, family, and death. As Pedro’s journey progresses, he encounters a variety of characters and situations that provide insight into the lives of the people of the village, as well as help to illustrate the themes of the story.

Though the story is relatively short, it contains many symbols and allusions that can be difficult to comprehend. The title of the story, for instance, is often interpreted as a reference to the silence that Pedro experiences during his journey. The fact that no dogs bark as he passes through the village is seen as a sign of the villagers’ fear and deference to him, as well as a metaphor for the silence surrounding his search for his father. Additionally, the story is often seen as an exploration of the themes of identity, family, and death.

Analysis of the Story

In “No Dogs Bark,” Rulfo creates a complex narrative that explores the themes of identity, family, and death. The story follows the journey of Pedro, a man searching for his father who has been gone for some time. As he travels throughout the village, he encounters a variety of characters and situations that help to illustrate the themes of the story. One of the most prominent characters is Don Pedrito, an old man who is the village elder and is seen as a father figure to Pedro. Don Pedrito’s character is seen as a symbol of the importance of family and identity, as his presence represents the continuity of the village and its inhabitants.

The story is also seen as an exploration of death and the fear of the unknown. Throughout the story, Pedro is constantly reminded of death, from the presence of the cemetery to the fact that his father has been gone for some time. The fact that no dogs bark as he passes through the village is seen as a sign of the villagers’ fear and respect for him, as well as a metaphor for the silence surrounding his search for his father. The story ends with Pedro’s ultimate realization that his father is gone, and he must accept his loss and move on.

Conclusion

Juan Rulfo’s short story “No Dogs Bark” is a complex narrative that explores themes of identity, family, and death. The story is told from the point of view of an omniscient narrator and uses a variety of symbols and allusions to illustrate the themes of the story. The story follows the journey of Pedro, a man searching for his father who has been gone for some time, and his interactions with the people of the village provide insight into their lives as well as the themes of the story. Ultimately, the story ends with Pedro’s realization that his father is gone and he must accept his loss and move on.

References

Birmingham, K. (2016). No Dogs Bark: An Analysis of Juan Rulfo’s Short Story. The Literature Network. Retrieved from https://www.online-literature.com/juan-rulfo/no-dogs-bark/

Rulfo, J. (1954). No Dogs Bark. Retrieved from https://www.online-literature.com/juan-rulfo/no-dogs-bark/