“The Loaded Dog” by Henry Lawson

The short story “The Loaded Dog”, written by Henry Lawson in 1901 displays a significant aspect of distinctively visual through Lawson’s effective and apparent use of imagery. Lawson’s effective use of imagery stimulates the reader’s five senses in order for the audience to visualize what is actually happening. Such a notion of distinctively visual is evident in Lawson’s childhood where he contracted a condition that affected his eyesight negatively, thus he relied heavily on his eyesight when writing his short stories such as The Loaded Dog. Therefore, it is apparent throughout the story that the concepts of distinctively visual have manifested and represented itself in the short story, The Loaded Dog.

An example of distinctively visual can be seen in the beginning paragraphs of the short story, but is more apparent as the story goes on. Such an example of distinctively visual is the use of tactile imagery in the line “They had struck some solid rock…” which entices the reader’s tactile sense evident in the words “solid rock”. This allows the reader to imagine how deep the characters are underground. Thus emphasizing the idea of distinctively visual manifesting itself within Lawson’s short story, The Loaded Dog.

The aspect of distinctively visual is apparent throughout The Loaded Dog as Lawson employs effective imagery throughout the story. The effective use of a visual imagery and alliteration is evident in the quote “an overgrown pup, a big, foolish, four footed mate who was always slobbering around them”. The employment of alliteration and imagery emphasis the notion of distinctively visual as it allows the reader to create an image of a friendly and playful dog dog of enormous proportions accompanying three people in their travels throughout the Australian outback. As a result, the use of such visual imagery allows the reader to visualize the environment the characters are in and makes it apparent that the concepts on distinctively visual is portrayed throughout Lawson’s The Loaded Dog. Lawson additionally uses auditory imagery to demonstrate the concepts of distinctively visual.

This can be seen in the quote “Dave roared and cursed at the dog…” which is employed to trigger our sense of hearing as it allows the reader to visualize what Lawson is attempting to portray in the events throughout the short story. The words “roared and cursed” emphasis the tension in the situation with the dog in possession of a highly explosive cartridge which is effectively portrayed through Lawson employment of auditory imagery. Therefore it is evident that Lawson’s apparent use of different types of imagery from auditory to visual imagery makes evident of the distinctively visual idea, due to allowing the audience to transport themselves in the situation the characters find themselves in throughout the short story.

Similarly, Lawson’s further use of different types of imagery allows for the concept of distinctively visual to become more apparent within the short story, The Loaded Dog. Lawson’s further use of auditory imagery and personification demonstrates further of the notion of distinctively visual, allowing the audience to immerse themselves within the character. This is evident in the quote “the cartridge still in his mouth and the fuse spluttering”. Such use of personification in the word “spluttering” within the quote brings attention towards the reader of the intensity of the situation the characters are facing. Furthermore, Lawson’s employment of auditory imagery allows the readers to immerse themselves within the situation and the tense situation the characters are facing, with a slow and gradual countdown of the pending explosive cartridge still in possession of the “Loaded” dog.

Concepts of distinctively visual are also evident and apparent near the end of the short story. This is found manifested in the quote “Bushmen behind the stable who crouched, doubled up against the wall or rolling gently on the dust” which additionally appeals to the readers tactile and evident through words such as “rolling gently in the dust” and “doubled up against the wall”. This tactile sense of imagery allows the reader to visualize the damage through words such as “dust” additionally allowing the reader to experience the position the characters are in throughout the aftermath of the explosion. Therefore, it is evident throughout the short story; The Loaded Dog Henry Lawson has applied numerous concepts of distinctively visual within the whole story.

It is evident in the short story The Loaded Dog by Henry Lawson, that the concept of distinctively visual is apparent and evident throughout all stages of the short story. This is evident through the uses of different language techniques such as personification, alliteration and different types of imagery, which appeals to the readers five senses from our auditory senses to our tactile senses. Hence, it is greatly evident that the notion of distinctively visual has manifested itself within Henry Lawson’s short story, The Loaded Dog.