Question

lone dog
by irene rutherford mcleod
im a lean dog, a keen dog, a wild dog, and lone;
im a rough dog, a tough dog, hunting on my own;
im a bad dog, a mad dog, teasing silly sheep;
i love to sit and bay the moon, to keep fat souls from sleep.

ill never be a lap dog, licking dirty feet,
a sleek dog, a meek dog, cringing for my meat,
not for me the fireside, the well - filled plate,
but shut door, and sharp stone, and cuff and kick, and hate.
not for me the other dogs, running by my side,
some have run a short while, but none of them would bide.
o mine is still the lone trail, the hard trail, the best,
wide wind, and wild stars, and hunger of the quest!

1. bide: endure, bear, tolerate

1. what is this poem about?

they talkin about a dog

1. what is the speaker’s tone?

that thy giving us hints

Explanation:

Question 7

The poem "Lone Dog" describes a dog that is lone, wild, and independent. It contrasts its own way of life (hunting alone, baying the moon, facing harsh treatment like shut doors and kicks) with the life of a lap dog (licking dirty feet, seeking comfort by the fireside). The dog embraces its solitary, tough, and free - spirited existence, preferring the "lone trail" over the company of other dogs or the easy life of a domesticated dog. So the poem is about a lone dog that chooses a wild, independent, and tough life rather than being a domesticated or companion - like dog, expressing its pride in its solitary and free - spirited nature.

The speaker (the dog in the poem) has a tone of pride and defiance. Phrases like "I'm a lean dog, a keen dog, a wild dog, and lone; I'm a rough dog, a tough dog, hunting on my own" show pride in its wild and independent nature. When it says "I'll never be a lap dog, licking dirty feet" and "Not for me the other dogs, running by my side" and "O mine is still the lone trail, the hard trail, the best", it shows defiance against the idea of being a domesticated or companion - like dog, and a strong preference for its own solitary and tough way of life. There is also a sense of determination in its choice of the "lone trail" and in facing the hardships (shut door, sharp stone, cuff and kick) with a sense of pride in its quest - driven, wild existence.

Answer:

The poem is about a lone dog that is wild, independent, and tough. It contrasts its solitary, self - reliant, and somewhat harsh life (hunting on its own, facing mistreatment, baying the moon) with the life of a domesticated lap dog. The dog takes pride in its free - spirited, lone existence and prefers its "lone trail" over the company of other dogs or the easy, domesticated life.

Question 8