Beware Of The Dog By Roald Dahl

Oh what big effect a little WW2 Nurse could have. In the short story, “Beware of the Dog” by Roald Dahl there stands a world war two nurse. This wonderfully written literary work is a war fiction and adventure. In this short story this un-named nurse is taking care of a fallen British soldier during world war two, little did this British patient know he was in France at the time, for The Nurse´s purpose was to keep Peter Williamson (the fallen soldier) persuaded that he was in British territory while he was actually in France, when it was being occupied by the Germans. By identifying her direct characterization, indirect characterization, type and function, and moral constitution, it will soon become clear this character’s big effect and willingness to help her country in its inevitable battle.
All throughout this short story this Nurse is described directly as large in size, fairly clean and gentle with fair hair, the patient overall explained her as not good looking.
As for before this incident, there is no direct background information said about The Nurse, but from textual evidence in the story one can infer that this Nurse has most definitely been in this position before. “You’re a lucky fellow. You landed in a wood near the beach, you’re in Brighton”. (4) This quote is fairly short, but one would think it means a great deal. This is where The Nurse tells the patient “where he is”, this is where the whole story sets off because the patient is told by The Nurse he is in Germany, when he is truly in France. This proves my thesis by explaining how valuable this character is to this incredible short
story. This characters motivations are simply driven by saving her country from the war they are currently in the middle of. One can infer that this Nurse is trying to do what is best for her country with the little role she plays. “I believe there is someone coming down to see you from the Air Ministry after breakfast…They want a report or something. I expect you know all about it. How you got shot down and all that. I won’t let them stay long, so don’t worry.”(9) She obviously understands the situation and knows what that “somebody” is actually coming in to the hospital room to do. She mentioned that she will not let them stay long, not only is that stating what control she has over this situation, but it is also hinting how she has done this before, one can definitely infer she has done this before by her easy responses, and flowyness of words. By looking at the indirect character development it is made obvious this nurse is motivated by keeping her country safe, and everyone in it. All throughout this short story this character faces a few challenges, most definitely. One of the challenges was the fact that the patient may have already known he was not actually in Germany, then the patient could have hurt or potentially cause any harm to her. One other challenge that this could mean if The Nurse had not persuaded the patient fully she could have been fired and left with no job. Finally, all along the story the patient was asking questions and getting suspicious so the nurse had to comeback with an answer on the spot without making it obvious that he was not where he was told he was. All in all the Nurse handled these situations very well and is outstandingly brave. The reader casually views the nurse as just a supporting character there to give sponge baths, but without this Nurse, there would be no story. This highly needed character is a very static one, yes this character is important but this WW2 Nurse does not undergo any important changes. All throughout the story she has the same exact job, to keep the patient persuaded he is in Germany. “Wing Commander Roberts is here. I have told him he can only stay for a few minutes.” (10) This comment really concludes the story, seeming the “Wing Commander” is there to get his information to “help” the patient but in reality is trying to retrieve information for their own well being. This character is all in all the antagonist of the story, one would think this because all throughout this spectacular short story is the thought of, “where is he?”, “What side is the nurse on?”, and so forth. The Nurse is not the protagonist because she technically is not the front title main character, but is definitely a close second. The nurse in, “Beware of the Dog” is very major, without her there would be no point in this short story. This amazing combat Nurse was just trying with all the power she has to protect her country with all the last capability she had in her. She is genuinely motivated not by hate, or love, or anything other than the fact she wanted to keep everyone in her country safe. This character is highly important in the story because without her, the patient would very quickly know that he is in French territory, and not where he was supposed to be, meaning there would be no point in this story. This Brave Nurse did all she could to help keep her country and it’s inhabitants safe, whether it was giving a sponge bath, or constantly lying to a wounded soldier to help save millions of French lives.