Analysis Of The Last Hunt Of Doraex

In her short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” Olive Huck presents a sheep dog, named Dorax, who is faced with conflict when his secret life of running with the wolves catches up with him. Throughout the short story the owner of the ranch, Marshall Ridgeway, and his friend James Andrews discuss Dorax and how unique of a sheep dog he is. James Andrews has his suspicions that Dorax may not be the admirable, loyal dog that Marshall Ridgeway believes he is. In the story wolves have become an increasingly large problem by killing many of the sheep in the town and Andrews speculates that Dorax may even be hunting with the wolves and went as far as confusing Dorax with a wolf when saying “Looks mighty like a wolf a-comin” (Huck 748). However, Ridgeway remained very loyal to Dorax throughout the story and even gave him privileges, such as going inside, that the other sheep dogs did not have. I believe that this

loyalty that Ridgeway had for Dorax made Dorax’s decision of joining the wolves or staying on the ranch with Ridgeway and the sheep even tougher. I think another reason Dorax would want to remain loyal to Ridgeway is because of the fact that Ridgeway accepted Dorax into the ranch after Dorax was being tortured by the last human he had encountered. I think that the bond between Dorax and Ridgeway is strong because they have both saved each other in different ways.
Intelligence is one of the defining qualities of Dorax which also separates him from the other sheep dogs. Dorax exhibited his intelligence by washing himself off in the river to hide his tracks of hunting with the wolves. With this exceptional brilliance, Dorax is also able to feel human emotions such as guilt. However, the intellect that Dorax possessed was a blessing and a curse as the author explains “While this constant companionship had conducted to the abnormal development of almost human intelligence, it had also effected isolation from his kind” (Huck 749). This isolation from the other sheep dogs may have been Dorax’s motivation towards joining the wolves as he searched for companionship.
Dorax is despised by the other sheep dogs due to his intelligence and favorable treatment from Ridgeway. This resentment from the other sheep dogs has lead Dorax to be isolated from his peers thus leaving him to seek companionship from the wolves. This is proven true when the author states “here two sheep dogs came up; they inquisitively smelled Dorax’s muzzle, growling and bristling angrily until driven away” (Huck 749). This quote proves the distaste that the other sheep dogs had for Dorax. This lack of compassion from the other sheepdogs lead Dorax search for companionship from the wolves. Although Dorax realizes that this is morally wrong, at this point he believes he can do this misdeed without impacting his relationship with Ridgeway.
Dorax is intrigued by being among the other wolf leaders and is content with continuing his relationship with Ridgeway as well.

Dorax believes that he can continue to hide his relationship with the wolves from Ridgeway, but he learns that he will soon have to make the choice. It is revealed that Dorax will have to decide between his two lives when the author states “ravenous from their fast during their long hunt, the wolves were about to hold their usual feast before dispersing. But never before had they been here with Dorax” (Huck 752). With no objections from Dorax, the wolves believe that they can convert Dorax one and for all as shown in the quote “Perhaps the jealous old grey leader had thus maliciously guided them; perhaps the young wolf, with feminine craft, had sought to set the final seal to Dorax’s fealty to his new comrades, thus binding him to them forever” (Huck 752). This quote exemplifies the wolves eagerness to get a decision from Dorax. Although living two separate lives are enticing to Dorax, he knew that he would ultimately have to make a

decision.
What was most important to Dorax? Ridgeway was the one who saved Dorax and was consistently by his side defending him. Ridgeway has remained loyal to Dorax and until recently, Dorax has remained loyal to Ridgeway. Dorax has been there for Ridgeway before as the author states “Dorax had twice made grateful return for all kindness. Once in camp, none but Dorax ever knew how, he had killed a rattlesnake coiled on Ridgeway’s chest before his master awoke shudderingly to the danger past” (Huck 751). Why would Dorax save Ridgeway’s life just to turn on him and everything that he has worked for? The connection that Dorax and Ridgeway have transcends a human dog relationship and symbolizes true friendship. This pure bond between Dorax and Ridgeway leads Dorax to sacrifice himself to prove to his loyalty to Ridgeway once and for all.