Barking Dogs

The movie “Barking Dogs Never Bite” accentuates the idea that we are all the end results of our surrounding circumstances. These circumstances shape our morals, and compel us to make certain choices throughout our lifespan. In the movie, the protagonist (dog killer) and the homeless guy were both portrayed as villains, and they both were the products of their own life circumstances. Throughout the movie, the protagonist was experiencing all kinds of stress factors, such as loss of a job, a pressure from having a demanding pregnant wife etc., the accumulation of which necessitated a release. Perhaps, someone who experienced similar stress factors could experience similar release (catharsis), while watching this movie. Furthermore, it was obvious that dogs originated some feelings of animosity in him, or unleashed something “uncanny”, as Fraud would say, perhaps even fear; otherwise he wouldn’t have such vigorous desire to get rid of them. The protagonist’s dream of becoming a professor asserts about his desire of achieving highly respectable social status, and losing it all contributed to the realization of his worst fear, i.e. becoming a social outcast. The homeless guy was also a product of his environment, although he had different reasons for wanting the dog dead- he merely was hungry. I guess Wells is right for stressing the substantial correlation between horror and comedy. These two genres share innocence, perhaps even a child like minimalism. Just as children, who do not grasp socially acceptable standards, the homeless guy also lacked the sense of social normality. The scene, where he tried to skew and roast the dog, and offered to share a meal with the girl was quite disturbing, but yet innocent. His undoubting assumption that everybody’s moral standards are in accord with his own was hilarious.