Jerry’s desire to establish relationships with others in order to stop the cruel feeling of loneliness is observed by Hayman, who says that “It’s just that if you can't deal with people, you have to make a start somewhere. With animals” (12). Communication with the dog was an attempt from Jerry to enter the animal world, hoping to find the communication and social relations that he missed:
JERRY: … here is what I had wanted to happen….. I loved the dog now and I wanted him to love me….. I had tried to love, and I had tried to kill, and both had been unsuccessful by themselves…. I don't really know why I expected the dog to understand anything… much less my motivations. . . I hoped that the dog would understand. ( 13 )
Esslin confirms Jerry’s …show more content…
Firstly, it represents the escape from the real world to the fantasy one to escape his isolation and lack of physical community. He accedes to another world where the animals live to find salvation from his deadly sense of isolation. The second dimension is that Jerry lives in a harmonious world like all human beings, but he is rejected by individuals. Therefore, he prefers to join the animals rather than his own world. The third dimension is that he chooses the animal world in order to satisfy his sense of isolation that troubles him. He chooses a public place on that day to get the interest of the media; thus, he will get the largest possible number of sympathizers and convey his message to the largest area in his community.
JERRY… It’s just that if you can’t deal with people, you have to make a start somewhere. With animals…..where better, where ever better to communicate one single, simple- minded idea than in an entrance hall?.... Than with a dog. Just that… a dog. (34–35)
Finally, Jerry’s attempt to include Peter in his death carries emotional meaning, that Jerry has spent his entire life deprived of communication with anyone, in other words, he suffered a lack of passion, so involving Peter in his death reflects a Jerry’s desire to communicate with someone in his last moments. As well as achieving Jerry’s aim, this shakes Peter and makes him change his lifestyle, which was the message that Albee wanted to send to the community.
JERRY: … here is what I had wanted to happen….. I loved the dog now and I wanted him to love me….. I had tried to love, and I had tried to kill, and both had been unsuccessful by themselves…. I don't really know why I expected the dog to understand anything… much less my motivations. . . I hoped that the dog would understand. ( 13 )
Esslin confirms Jerry’s …show more content…
Firstly, it represents the escape from the real world to the fantasy one to escape his isolation and lack of physical community. He accedes to another world where the animals live to find salvation from his deadly sense of isolation. The second dimension is that Jerry lives in a harmonious world like all human beings, but he is rejected by individuals. Therefore, he prefers to join the animals rather than his own world. The third dimension is that he chooses the animal world in order to satisfy his sense of isolation that troubles him. He chooses a public place on that day to get the interest of the media; thus, he will get the largest possible number of sympathizers and convey his message to the largest area in his community.
JERRY… It’s just that if you can’t deal with people, you have to make a start somewhere. With animals…..where better, where ever better to communicate one single, simple- minded idea than in an entrance hall?.... Than with a dog. Just that… a dog. (34–35)
Finally, Jerry’s attempt to include Peter in his death carries emotional meaning, that Jerry has spent his entire life deprived of communication with anyone, in other words, he suffered a lack of passion, so involving Peter in his death reflects a Jerry’s desire to communicate with someone in his last moments. As well as achieving Jerry’s aim, this shakes Peter and makes him change his lifestyle, which was the message that Albee wanted to send to the community.