As Donkey said before he and Shrek became friends, "I'm all alone, there's no one here beside me." Humans spend a lot of time trying to feel less lonely—why else would sites like Match.com and eHarmony exist? Unfortunately, there's no dating site for Gods (that we know of). And there's no after church coffee hour for Bob, either. So how is he supposed to reach out and connect? (Don't say Facebook.)
Questions About Isolation
- Why do you think that Bob feels so isolated throughout the novel? Is anyone presented as a potential friend?
- How are characters in There Is No Dog isolated, mentally and physically? Do they ever come out of isolation? Do any of the relationships seem believable or real?
- Is isolation ever presented positively in The Is No Dog? Are there any possible benefits to isolation?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Power is the greatest isolating force in There Is No Dog.
In this novel, love rather than friendship is the cure to isolation.