"A Dog Called Kitty" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "A Dog Called Kitty" by Bill Wallace, the main character Ricky plays the role of the protagonist. Uncle Jay, Dad, and Mom serve as supporting characters, while Kitty, Mr. Bell, Mrs. Bell, and Pete also play significant roles in the story.

Character Descriptions

• Ricky: Ricky is an eleven-year-old boy who loves dogs and desperately wants to have one as his pet. He is determined, curious, and has a strong sense of empathy.
• Uncle Jay: Uncle Jay is Ricky's uncle, who lives on a farm. He is kind-hearted, patient, and has a deep understanding of animals.
• Dad: Dad is Ricky's father, who initially opposes the idea of having a dog as a pet. He is strict but eventually comes around.
• Mom: Mom is Ricky's mother, who supports Ricky's desire to have a dog. She is loving, understanding, and tries to find a way to fulfill Ricky's dream.
• Kitty: Kitty is a stray dog that Ricky finds in the woods. She is scared, defensive, and initially does not trust humans.
• Mr. Bell: Mr. Bell is a neighboring farmer who is known for his aggressive dogs. He serves as the story's antagonist.
• Mrs. Bell: Mrs. Bell is Mr. Bell's wife. She is kind-hearted and compassionate towards animals.
• Pete: Pete is Ricky's best friend, who shares Ricky's love for dogs. He is loyal, adventurous, and always supports Ricky.

Character Traits

• Ricky: Ricky is determined, compassionate, patient, and persistent. He shows bravery by standing up to Mr. Bell and trying to help Kitty.
• Uncle Jay: Uncle Jay is caring, knowledgeable about animals, patient, and calm. He teaches Ricky valuable lessons about dogs and their behavior.
• Dad: Dad is initially strict and hesitant about having a dog, but he eventually shows love and care towards Kitty. He is protective of his family.
• Mom: Mom is supportive, understanding, and loving. She tries to find a solution to Ricky's longing for a dog while maintaining harmony in the family.
• Kitty: Kitty is initially scared and defensive due to past mistreatment by humans. She gradually learns to trust and love Ricky, showing loyalty and affection.
• Mr. Bell: Mr. Bell is aggressive, harsh, and cruel towards animals. He represents the antagonist in the story, creating obstacles for Ricky and Kitty.
• Mrs. Bell: Mrs. Bell is kind-hearted and compassionate towards animals, providing a contrasting perspective to her husband's behavior.
• Pete: Pete is loyal, adventurous, and always ready to support Ricky. He shares Ricky's love for dogs and helps him in his quest to rescue Kitty.

Character Background

• Ricky: Ricky is an ordinary eleven-year-old boy who lives with his parents. He has always dreamed of having a dog as a pet but has never been able to fulfill that desire.
• Uncle Jay: Uncle Jay is Ricky's mother's brother and lives on a farm nearby. He has extensive knowledge and experience with animals, especially dogs.
• Dad: Dad works hard to support his family and initially opposes having a dog due to concerns about responsibility and potential problems.
• Mom: Mom is a loving and caring mother who understands Ricky's longing for a pet. She tries to find a solution that will make everyone in the family happy.
• Kitty: Kitty is a stray dog Ricky finds in the woods. Her background is unknown, but she has been mistreated by humans in the past, leading to her fear and mistrust.
• Mr. Bell: Mr. Bell is a neighboring farmer with a reputation for having aggressive dogs. He mistreats and misteaches his dogs, leading to their aggressive behavior.
• Mrs. Bell: Mrs. Bell is Mr. Bell's wife, who disagrees with his treatment of animals. She shows kindness and compassion towards them, including Kitty.
• Pete: Pete is Ricky's best friend and shares his love for dogs. He supports Ricky throughout the story and helps him in his adventures.

Character Arcs

• Ricky: Ricky starts as a determined boy longing for a dog. Through his journey with Kitty, he learns about empathy, trust, and the responsibilities of owning a pet. He develops a deep bond with Kitty and becomes more mature and responsible.
• Kitty: Kitty begins as a scared and defensive stray dog. Through Ricky's kindness and patience, she learns to trust again and becomes a loving and loyal companion.
• Dad: Dad initially opposes having a dog but eventually realizes the importance of fulfilling Ricky's dream. He learns to embrace the idea and shows love towards Kitty.
• Mr. Bell: Mr. Bell remains a stubborn and cruel character throughout the story, never experiencing significant growth or change.
• Mrs. Bell: Mrs. Bell shows compassion towards animals from the beginning and continues to do so, offering a contrasting perspective to her husband's behavior.
• Uncle Jay: Uncle Jay acts as a mentor to Ricky, teaching him valuable lessons about dogs and guiding him through his journey with Kitty.
• Pete: Pete remains a loyal and supportive friend to Ricky, joining him in his adventures and helping him whenever needed.

Relationships

• Ricky and Kitty: Ricky forms a deep bond with Kitty, earning her trust and love through his kindness and patience. Their relationship evolves from fear and mistrust to loyalty and companionship.
• Ricky and Uncle Jay: Uncle Jay serves as a mentor to Ricky, teaching him about dogs and providing guidance throughout his journey with Kitty.
• Ricky and Dad: Ricky's relationship with his dad starts with conflict over having a dog, but it evolves into love and understanding as Dad realizes the importance of Ricky's dream.
• Ricky and Mom: Ricky's mom supports him throughout his quest to have a dog, understanding his longing and trying to find a solution that works for the whole family.
• Ricky and Pete: Pete is Ricky's best friend, sharing his love for dogs. They support each other and embark on adventures together to rescue Kitty.
• Kitty and Mr. Bell: Mr. Bell mistreats Kitty, causing fear and mistrust in their relationship. He represents the antagonist and creates obstacles for Ricky and Kitty.
• Kitty and Mrs. Bell: Mrs. Bell shows kindness and compassion towards Kitty, offering a contrasting perspective to her husband's behavior. She tries to help Ricky and Kitty.
• Ricky and Mrs. Bell: Ricky's encounters with Mrs. Bell are mostly positive, as she supports his efforts to rescue and care for Kitty.

In "A Dog Called Kitty," Bill Wallace creates a heartfelt story of love, trust, and the transformative power of compassion. Through the characters of Ricky, Kitty, and their relationships with others, readers are taken on an emotional journey that highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and the special bond between humans and animals.