What happened to the dogs in White Plague? - briefly
In "White Plague," the dogs are afflicted with an unknown disease that causes them to exhibit aggressive and violent behavior, ultimately leading to their demise as they succumb to the illness. The story explores the desperate efforts of the protagonist to find a cure and understand the origin of this mysterious plague affecting the canine population.
What happened to the dogs in White Plague? - in detail
In Michael Frayn's play "The White Plague," dogs play a significant role in underscoring the themes of human cruelty and indifference. The story unfolds in an unnamed country gripped by political turmoil, where a mysterious epidemic is sweeping through the population. As the crisis escalates, the government takes drastic measures to contain the disease, including the culling of dogs.
The decision to kill the dogs is not based on scientific evidence but rather on fear and desperation. The authorities believe that the dogs might be carriers of the disease, spreading it through their bites. This assumption is fueled by the panic and hysteria that have taken hold of the society. The government orders the immediate extermination of all dogs within a certain radius of infected areas, with no regard for the consequences or the ethical implications of such an action.
The culling of the dogs serves as a stark metaphor for the dehumanization and brutality that can emerge in times of crisis. The government's indiscriminate slaughter of innocent animals reflects its own inhumane treatment of the populace, highlighting the lack of compassion and rationality in its response to the epidemic. The dogs become collateral damage in a wider struggle for control and power, their lives sacrificed in an attempt to restore order and quell public fear.
Moreover, the extermination of the dogs underscores the broader theme of societal breakdown and moral decay. As the political climate deteriorates, so too does the fabric of social responsibility and ethical behavior. The indiscriminate killing of dogs signals a descent into chaos, where even the most basic principles of humanity are cast aside in favor of expediency and self-preservation.
In conclusion, the fate of the dogs in "The White Plague" serves as a poignant commentary on the darker aspects of human nature. Their unnecessary deaths highlight the destructive power of fear and the dangerous consequences that can arise from hasty and ill-considered decisions made by those in authority.