A Dog Has Died

1. The speaker in Neruda’s “A Dog Has Died” does not believe in a heaven for humans but does believe in a heaven for dogs. This ties into the speaker’s final argument that dogs are superior to humans because they can experience an in-the-moment joy uncomplicated by other feelings. Have you ever felt this way, envying animals, plants, and other non-human creatures on earth? Have you ever wished to be a dog or a cat, or to occupy another seemingly simple existence, like that of a rock or a tree? Reflect on these questions and free write 1-2 paragraphs in response. If you’ve never felt this way, try to reflect on why the speaker might have these feelings.

2. Neruda’s poem was written quite close to his death and was published posthumously (after he had died). Knowing this, what do you think the poem suggests about death, afterlife, and one’s regrets at the end of their life? In two paragraphs, explain how you think “A Dog Has Died” might be more than an elegy to the speaker’s dog. Explain how you think this poem relates to Neruda’s own approaching death and understanding of what death means.

3. Consider the poem’s title, “A Dog Has Died,” compared with the first line, “My dog has died” (Line 1).