Big Red

“A hundred times he had stalked this great bear whose name had become a legend. But this time he might get the shot that he had so long awaited.”

Old Majesty’s appearance in Chapter 1 establishes the bear’s symbolic significance. The bear is also a narrative device that creates tension throughout Danny’s story. Due to the bear’s reputation in the Wintapi, Danny sees the bear as a threat to his, his family’s, and his animals’ well-being. Therefore, an emotional and physical battle ensues between Danny and the bear. These lines foreshadow Danny and Old Majesty’s climactic encounter at the end of the novel.

“The red dog was not a hound—Danny knew vaguely that it was called an Irish setter—but never before had he seen any dog that revealed at first glance all the qualities a dog should have.”

Danny knows that Red is special as soon as he meets him at Mr. Haggin’s estate. Danny is familiar with dogs because of his wilderness background, his home life, and his upbringing. Red stands apart from the dogs that he’s known before, thus introducing Red as a key figure in Danny’s story. As Danny’s relationship with the dog develops, Red proves himself to be increasingly unique; his displays of affection and loyalty contribute to his distinct character and his unique bond with Danny, reflecting the theme of the Bonds Between Humans and Animals.