Discussion Topic
Travis's definition of adulthood in Old Yeller and its relevance today
Summary:
In Old Yeller, Travis defines adulthood as taking responsibility for one's family and making difficult decisions, even in the face of hardship. This concept remains relevant today as maturity is often measured by one's ability to handle responsibilities and challenges effectively, demonstrating reliability and care for loved ones.
What is Travis's definition of adulthood in Old Yeller?
For Travis, the definition of adulthood is "being a man." That means many things. Mostly, it means hard work. According to his Papa, a man has many responsibilities. He is expected to take care of his mother and little brother, look after all the farm work, and take initiative to do what needs to be done. A man takes care of all these things stoically, without complaint, and without childish displays of emotion. That is Travis's vision of adult manhood.
As a result of taking on a grown man's work, he begins to see himself as more of an adult. He shakes his father's hand—the first time he'd ever "shaken hands like a man." It made him feel "big and solemn and important"—all manly qualities he believes an adult should have. Also, he extracts the promise of a horse from his father. A man, after all, should have a "man's...
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horse to ride."
Travis's story in Old Yeller is, essentially, a coming-of-age story. He gradually grows from a boy into a man through the experiences he has. Not only due to the responsibilities he takes on but most importantly through his relationship with the dog named Old Yeller. Manhood, Travis learns, is not as glamorous as it originally seems.
Is Travis's definition of adulthood in Old Yeller outdated today?
Travis Coates, at fourteen, is in between boyhood and manhood when his father leaves on a cattle drive for several months, telling Travis to be the man of the house by watching over his mother and younger brother and doing chores without being told. Travis is determined to prove to himself—and to his family—that he is up to the task and deserves to be seen and respected as an adult.
He begins to doubt himself, though, when all sorts of things go wrong. His brother, Little Arliss, tries Travis's patience by romping in the family's drinking water with Old Yeller, a stray dog that Arliss has decided to keep. Arliss is also prone to telling tall tales about diving for huge fish and carrying snakes and fish in his pockets. It seems to Travis that his mother usually takes Arliss's side and reprimands Travis, making him feel like a child instead of the man he so desperately longs to be.
After Old Yeller rescues Arliss from a bear whose cub he had been trying to catch, Travis accepts the dog, who gradually becomes his own pet. Travis continues to fulfill his responsibilities as the man of the house by gathering crops, repairing the fence, and marking the hogs.
The most adult thing Travis does in the story is his decision to put Old Yeller down after the dog is bitten by a wolf with hydrophobia. Heartbroken, he also buries Old Yeller, and his father returns with a "man's horse" for Travis, which he has more than earned. Travis's definition of adulthood expands to include not only responsibilities but also consequences, foresight, and courage.