Analyse af 'The Baddest Dog in Harlem'

In "The Baddest Dog in Harlem" by Walter Dean Myers, the story begins with the narrator and his friends engaging in a lively debate outside a restaurant, trying to determine the greatest boxer of all time. As they converse, an older gentleman by the name of Mr. Lynch approaches and adds his thoughts to the conversation. Suddenly, the peaceful conversation is interrupted by the arrival of two police cars. The officers inquire about how long the group has been standing outside, as they suspect that a shooter may be hiding in a nearby building. As word spreads, more patrol cars arrive on the scene, drawing a crowd of people to the area. In the story, the narrator and a few of his companions sneak into Eez-On-In, a restaurant. Inside, the proprietor and the waitress are puzzled by the commotion happening outside. Suddenly, a police officer enters and instructs everyone inside to lie down on the floor. As the situation outside escalates, an officer slips, causing his gun to discharge accidentally, leading to a state of chaos.

The main themes of the story “The Baddest Dog in Harlem” by Walter Dean Myers are death and discrimination. In "The Baddest Dog in Harlem," the theme of death is conveyed through the progression of the story's events. The inciting incident is the rumor of a shooter hiding in a building in Harlem, which attracts the attention of the police. As the situation unfolds, the narrator and his companions become increasingly aware of the danger they are in, and take steps to protect themselves, their main concern is to get away from the street as soon as possible. "The Baddest Dog in Harlem" explores the theme of discrimination through the actions and attitudes of the police toward the community of Harlem, which is primarily composed of African-Americans. The police officers who were dispatched to the area are mostly white and from the moment they encounter the narrator and his friends, they treat them with suspicion. This attitude is further reflected in how they treat the woman who owns the apartment at, showing little regard for her rights or well-being.