Foil

Character Role Analysis

Paulsen/Josh

A quick note about character roles: My Life in Dog Years is a nonfiction book with an unusual structure. Each of its nine chapters is a portrait of a dog that has been important in author Gary Paulsen's life. Since the stars of his story are all canine companions…we could have just listed nine companions. (But where's the fun in that? After all, this isn't Doctor Who.) Paulsen would probably say he's got nine protagonists. Instead, we chose examples to show you how this book both follows, and departs from, the usual cast of characters you find in great literature.

In a sense, we learn about Paulsen by comparing and contrasting him with each of his nine dogs. In Josh's chapter, we see Paulsen at work and at play, in goofy moments and in a serious funk. Paulsen cheers Josh whenever "he is feeling a bit glum" (9.29) by tickling his ribs; one time, when Paulsen was mourning a friend who died, Josh returned the favor by tickling him back.