Dog and Ducking
A much-provoked Newfoundland loses his patience.
The following story was included in a collection of anecdotes about dogs, and credited to Abraham Abell (1782-1851), a native of Cork in Ireland, member of the Royal Cork Institution, and one of the founders of the Cuvierian Society. It is told here by Edward Jesse, the man who oversaw the restoration of Hampton Court Palace and its subsequent opening to the public in 1838.
This dog had been constantly annoyed in the streets of Cork by little noisy curs, of whom, however, he took no notice. One of them was particularly troublesome, and at length carried his petulance so far as to bite the Newfoundland dog in the back of his leg. This was a degree of insult which could not be patiently endured, and he instantly turned round, ran after the offender, and seized him by the skin of his neck. In this manner he carried him to the quay,* and holding him for some time over the water at length dropped the cur into it. He did not, however, design that the culprit should have too severe a punishment, for after the offender had been well ducked and was struggling in the water, the generous Newfoundland plunged in and brought him safe to land.
From “Anecdotes of Dogs” (1846), by Edward Jesse (1780-1868).
* The city of Cork, in the southeast of the Republic of Ireland, stands on the River Lee, roughly twelves miles inland from where the river empties into the Irish Sea. Cork is a major port city, and at the heart of the town is a large, busy river island; so our Newfoundland had plenty of choice when it came to finding a quay suitable for a ducking.
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
How did the Newfoundland dog punish his tormentor?
By dropping him into the River Lee.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
You are provoking me. I might throw you in the river. You would deserve it.
See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.
IIf. IIMind. IIIServe.