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Description edit
Saunders’ most famous novel Beautiful Joe, tells the true story of dog that has had a difficult puppyhood with many obstacles including a cruel owner. It is told from the dog's point of view. When the book was published, both the book and its subject received worldwide attention. It was the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Miss Laura: Miss Laura a tender hearted only daughter surrounded by many brothers. The era called for young ladies to be raised in a genteel ways. Laura is beloved by all her brothers, parents and the community at large. She often takes on the duties of smoothing her brothers rough edges as well as local hooligans she may come across in town. A memorable episode in the book involving Laura is one where she comes across local boys whose dogs are fighting. The boys are cheering them on. Much like My dad can whip your dad, the boys explain when Laura interjects that the fight came about because the boys had argued as to whose dog could best the others in a fight. Laura, appalled by the violence she is witnessing, keeps her cool and with quiet words persuades the boys to pull the dogs apart. She spends another few minutes with them and with quiet words convinces the boys of the cruelty involved when we encourage animals that love us to fight on our behalf. Laura explains to the boys, the dogs left to their own means would have settled the matter quickly, without all the injury. That they fought so fiercely and did such bodily damage to each other only because they felt prompted by the love of their masters. Laura explains to the boys that the dogs do not understand why their beloved young masters have grown so excited and defensive but sencing their masters defensive posture for all they know their master is in danger. The dogs fight to defend you and know not why, she says ; yet for the love of you they go on even if it means their own life to defend you. The boys cowed, and properly ashamed promise young miss Laura to take better care of their dogs and never fight them again. This event cannot be forgotten in writing a description of the character of the young Miss Laura. Because this genteel young lady raised in a pleasant and lovely family never was exposed to this behavior at home. Some young ladies would have shrank away from such a sight and cruelty, but for the love of animals as souls in God's creation young Laura cannot turn away. She sets her own safety and reputation aside to wade in among young ruffians and stop a dog fight. Besides Beautiful Joe, Laura is the next best enchanting character in this lovely book.
- Joe: The narrator of the story, a simple and loving dog
- Mrs. Wood: Laura's aunt
- Mr. Harry: Cousin of the family, loves animals
- Mrs. Morris: Mother of the family
- Mrs. Jenkins: Add a description of this character.
- Mr. Maxwell: Harry's friend
- Billy: Puppy
- Jim: Older dog, mentor to Joe
- Bella: Parrot
- Jack
- Carl: Laura's brother
- Mrs. Montague: Wealthy neighbor lady
- Fleetfoot: A horse that Mr. Harry owns.
- Jacobs
- John
- Miss Bessie: Laura's friend
- Charlie
- Ned: Laura's brother
- Willie: Laura's brother
- Barry
- Adele
- Mary
- Bob
- Bruno: A farm dog
- Davy: A guinea pig
- Hattie
- Dick
- Barron
- Mrs. Drury: Bessie's mother
- Mr. Barron
- Cleve
- Windham
- Susan
- Tommy
- Toby
- Duke
- Dandy
- Mr. Robinson
Quotes edit
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“"One day she licked me gently, wagged her tail, and died"”
Beautiful Joe
First Sentence edit
MY name is Beautiful Joe, and I am a brown dog of medium size.
Table of Contents edit
1. Only a cur
2. The cruel milkman
3. My kind deliverer and Miss Laura
4. The Morris Boys add to my name
5. My new home and a selfish lady
6. The Fox Terrier Billy
7. Training a puppy
8. A ruined dog
9. The parrot Bella
10. Billy's training continued
11. Goldfish and canaries
12. Malta, the cat
13. The beginning of an adventure
14. How we caught the burglar
15. Our journey to Riverdale
16. Dingley Farm
17. Mr. Wood and his horses
18. Mrs.Woods poultry
19. A band of mercy
20. Stories about animals
21. Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Harry
22. What happened at the tea table
23. Trapping wild animals
24. The rabbit and the hen
25. A happy horse
26. The box of money
27. A neglected stable
28. The end of the cruel man
29. Our return home
30. Performing animals
31. A fire in Fairport
32. Billy and the Italian
33 .Dandy the tramp
34 .Black Jim
35.The end of my stoy
Series & Lists edit
Authors & Contributors edit
- Marshall Saunders (Author)
Other Contributors:
- Hezekiah Butterworth (Introduction)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: American Baptist Publication Society
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1894
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 304
Publisher: American Baptist Publication Society
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1894
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 304
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PZ10.3.S257 Be
- Dewey: <Fic>
Subjects edit
- Books › Children's Books › Animals › Pets
- Books › Children's Books › Animals › Dogs
- Books › Literature & Fiction › Classics
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