Student Question
What are Via's comments on Daisy in Wonder?
Quick answer:
Via says, "The only celestial body that doesn't orbit August the Sun is Daisy the dog, and that's only because to her little doggy eyes, August's face doesn't look very different from any other human's face. To Daisy, all our faces look alike, as flat and pale as the moon." After Mom takes Daisy to the vet to be euthanized, Justin comes over and Via praises Daisy by saying, "She [Daisy] really is the greatest dog in the world."
In R. J. Palacio's celebrated novel Wonder, Daisy is the Pullman family's beloved dog. Daisy is depicted as an affectionate, obedient dog, and Auggie and Via enjoy spending time with her. In Part Two, Via compares the members of her family to celestial bodies orbiting the Sun, which is her deformed brother Auggie. Via says,
"The only celestial body that doesn't orbit August the Sun is Daisy the dog, and that's only because to her little doggy eyes, August's face doesn't look very different from any other human's face. To Daisy, all our faces look alike, as flat and pale as the moon."
Unfortunately, Daisy becomes extremely ill in the spring and the family must euthanize her. In part six, Mom discovers that Via and Justin are taking part in a school play and is upset that Via never said anything about it. This leads to a heated...
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argument and Auggie accuses his sister of being embarrassed of him. After Auggie accuses Via, he sprints to his bedroom and shuts the door. After half an hour passes, Via suddenly opens the door and tells Auggie to come quick. She says,
"This isn't about you! … Not everything in the world is about you, Auggie! Now hurry up. Daisy's sick. Mom's taking her to the emergency vet. Come say goodbye."
Auggie follows her sister into the living room and they say their final goodbyes to Daisy before their mother takes her to the veterinarian to have her put down. After Mom and Daisy leave, August and Via hug each other and cry. In chapter eighty-nine, Justin comes over to comfort Via and she praises Daisy by telling him,
"She [Daisy] really is the greatest dog in the world."
Via then explains Daisy's recent bouts of sickness to Auggie and describes how Daisy was acting once Auggie left the dinner table. Via tells Auggie,
"She [Daisy] just started moaning, like something was really hurting her. And she was panting like crazy. Then she just kind of plopped down, and Mom went over and tried to pick her up, and whatever, she was obviously hurting. She bit Mom."
Auggie is shocked to hear about Daisy's odd behavior, and his family shares an emotional moment together when Mom and Dad return from the vet without Daisy.