The Blind Dog - R. K. Narayan

Answer the following questions in about 300 words: 

1. How does the relationship between the blind beggar and the dog evolve throughout the story, and what does this transformation reveal about themes of loyalty, exploitation, and freedom?

In R.K. Narayan’s story “The Blind Dog”, the dog and the blind beggar start their journey as strangers. At first, the dog is a free and happy animal. He loves running, playing, and being with people at the market. One day, the blind beggar finds the dog and decides to use it to guide him around. He ties the dog with a rope and makes it lead him through the busy streets.

In the beginning, the dog wants to escape. He is scared and unhappy. But slowly, the dog stops trying to run away. He starts following the beggar without being pulled. The dog becomes loyal, even though he is not treated with love or care. He works all day, guiding the man, and gets little food or rest.

This shows how the dog is loyal, even when he is exploited. The beggar does not think about the dog’s feelings or needs. He just wants the dog to work for him. The story shows how some people or animals are used without kindness.

In the end, the dog keeps serving the blind man, but not out of love—he does it because he is trained and has no choice. This makes us think deeply about freedom. Is the dog really free if he stays only because he cannot leave?

The story teaches us about loyalty, but also shows how it can turn into exploitation. The dog gives everything, but gets very little in return. It also makes us think about freedom—that being tied to someone, even without a rope, can feel like being trapped. The relationship changes, but it remains unfair. The dog stays loyal, but his freedom is lost.

2. In which way is the dog’s situation an example of an abusive relationship? How does the title “The Blind Dog” symbolize the emotional blindness in their relationship?

In “The Blind Dog”, the dog’s life with the blind beggar is a clear example of an abusive relationship. At first, the dog is a happy, free animal. But after the blind beggar catches him, the dog’s life changes completely. The man uses a rope to control the dog and makes him guide him through the town every day.

The dog is not treated kindly. He is given very little food and has to work all day. He gets tired, but the man does not care. The dog is not given love or respect—he is only used like a tool. Even when the rope is removed, the dog still follows the man. This shows how the abuse has become part of his daily life. He is trained to obey, even when he has a chance to run away. This is a very sad truth about some real-life abusive relationships too.

Now, the title “The Blind Dog” is very meaningful. On the outside, it looks like the title is about the dog. But actually, it also talks about the emotional blindness in the relationship. The beggar is blind in body, but also blind to the dog’s pain. He cannot see how much the dog is suffering. The dog is blind in another way—he becomes so loyal that he cannot see he is being treated badly. Both are trapped in their own way.

So, the title is not just about eyesight. It also talks about how people can be blind to emotions, love, and kindness. The story shows how relationships, even without shouting or beating, can still be harmful when one side only takes and the other only gives.

This makes us think about love, care, and freedom in a deeper way.