Student Question
Why does the author consider killing Scarhead in Woodsong?
Quick answer:
In Woodsong, the author considers killing Scarface, a feral dog, because Scarface poses a threat to Gary Paulsen and his sled dogs. Paulsen's sled dogs are valuable, both in terms of training and monetary investment, as they are essential for running the Iditarod race. The potential danger Scarface presents to these dogs and the race prompts Paulsen to contemplate killing him, but he ultimately decides against it.
In the book Woodsong by Gary Paulsen, the characters focused on are the animals. Paulsen has many dogs as he is going to and does run the Alaskan sled dog race, the Iditarod. Scarface is not one of Paulsen's dogs, but comes into Paulsen's dogs' area anyway. Because he is a feral or wild dog, Scarface could injure or kill Paulsen or even one of his sled dogs. Because good sled dogs are trained for their position in the line, the race itself, and for the master they run for, the animals are worth a great deal both in time and money. Scarface could injure one of Paulsen's dogs or even kill one, which Paulsen could ill afford. He therefore thinks about killing Scarface before any injuries can occur but decides against that drastic measure.
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