Death of a Pig

I thought this essay written by E.B. White, illustrated a sad account of a death of an animal and, agreeing with Jason, the relationship of a man and his animal.  Although, White doesn’t use much of logos or ethos, he does appeal largely through pathos.  Through the style of writing he carries throughout the piece he draws the reader to feel the sadness he displayed during the time the death occurred.  With the first paragraph foreshadowing what is going to happen, immediately the author sets the tone of sorrow.  Following is the story written by a day-by-day (hour-to-hour) account, starting each new paragraph with a chilling phrase to induce the readers (ex. “He came out of the house to die”- p.28).  Despite the lack of knowledge and facts to back up his story, White didn’t need it to make a compelling case, through his diction and syntax he was able to lure in the reader.

            Just like service dogs and other service animals this essay reveals that despite the type of animal humans form bonds with their animals.  We see the author form this relationship with this pig from the moment it gets sick.  Like a parent is to a child, he goes out of his way to find any sort of treatment to nurture the pig back to health.  I think Jason makes an excellent point though, would he have grown this attachment if the pig wasn’t sick or if the pig did redeem it’s health would the farmer still would have slaughter it?  I would personally like to think that by growing this relationship between with the pig, if it was to regain health he wouldn’t of killed it.  And who knows if he would have initially formed a bond if the animal wasn’t sick.  He probably wouldn’t have, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.  Every relationship you look into there was some instance that occurred that started the friendship.  For his it happens to be a fatal illness.  When you think about it it’s truly remarkable how you meet and form connections with one another.