Dawa: The Story of a Stray Dog in Bhutan is a novel authored by Kunzang Choden. This is a prescribed text for class IXs in Bhutanese schools, as part of their English literature curriculum. The following is a review initially written by Jigme Wangchuk, a teacher of Drugyal high school in Paro. Where possible, amendments and additional resources had been sourced to make the interpretations and explanations as simple as possible.
Dawa looks like any other scruffy Thimphu street dog, but don't be fooled: he understand Dzongkha, he has an urge to see the world and his bigger-than-normal brain is matched only by his compassionate heart. This is an extraordinary life of Dawa; follow it from its tragic beginnings to his ascension as the legendary Leader of Howling in Thimphu, to the miracle that saves him. Dawa's story will appeal to all who have experienced life's rigors, but have never given up hope on the possibilities.
Please click on the links below to read further;
- Introduction
- Major Characters
- Minor Characters
- Chapter 1. Who is Dawa?
- Chapter 2: Dawa in Thimphu
- Chapter 3: Dawa is educated
- Chapter 4: The Underdog
- Chapter 5: Dawa runs away
- Chapter 6: 1, 2, 3 passes
- Chapter 7: Dawa in Mongar
- Chapter 8: Back in Bumthang
- Chapter 9: In Tang
- Chapter 10: Thowadrak
- Chapter 11: The full-moon night
- Chapter 12: Back to where it all began
- Themes
- Symbols
- Points to Remember
- Questions
- References & Additional Information
Important notes
- Imaginary Lineage
- Death of Dawa’s family
- Dawa gets his name
- Practicing howling
- Dawa in his previous life
- Different Dog leaders
- Dawa's followers
- The Underdog
- The rule of a pack
- History of Kikila
- Dog dynamics in Mongar
- Deportation of dogs
- Finding Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave
- Back to Where It All Began
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Notes prepared/compiled by Jigme Wangchuk, English teacher in Drugyal high school.