Beware of the Dog

The fragmented nature of truth is a key theme in “Beware of the Dog” and links to literary Modernism as well as the historical context of WWII. Against the backdrop of a disorienting situation, which Dahl depicts through ambiguous language, stream of consciousness, and inner monologue, Peter undergoes a quest for truth, grounding himself in concrete sensory details to piece together his reality.

In “Beware of the Dog,” Dahl follows many of the techniques and beliefs of Modernist writers who came before him. Modernists often approached the nature of truth with a sense of uncertainty, acknowledging the subjective and elusive nature of truth while highlighting the importance of individual perspectives and the limitations of language in conveying an ultimate truth. At the same time, they recognized the importance of truth based on physical reality and concrete sensory details. While they were skeptical of absolutes, they sought to engage with the world and capture its essence through vivid and precise descriptions of sensory experiences.

“Beware of the Dog” throws Peter into disorienting situations where objective truth is unclear. This is further heightened through close third-person narration. Early in the story, Peter’s