Etgar Keret is a renowned author who has made a definitive mark on the Israeli literary landscape with his unique and distinctive voice, which can be tender and mischievous, humorous and intelligent, out right ridiculous and yet somehow full of hope. Keret accomplishes the ability to illustrate a desire for his stories to explore and provoke ambiguity and to challenge aspects of life that have been made concrete over time and are now considered reality. In the story "Shooting Tuvia" a school boy tells the accounts of his dog Tuvia's life and the personal relationship that they form together. The dog seems to only be loyal and kind to the boy and acts wild with the other members of his family. After numerous accounts of the dog causing problems within the family, the father attempts to get rid of the dog. However, the dog always seems to find his way back home to the young boy, time after time. Infuriated, the father finally takes the belligerent dog, drops him in a forest and shoots him in the head-only for him to return home, tired, paralyzed, but ever-faithful to his owner. Just like all of Keret's stories, he is always engaged in a broader philosophical inquiry; his journey, and his questions, feel very personal and very humble. To me, this story exemplifies the true strength, perseverance, and persistence of the Jewish people and Israel as a whole. Although the Jews are unfortunately sometimes titled as the victims of hatred and violence, constantly kicked out of their homes, they nonetheless find the courage and strength to obtain their homeland. The father and family represent the anti-semitism and brutality that is prevalent in this day and age. The dog represents the Jewish people and their determination and endurance, their drive for their goal of a homeland, safe haven, and in this case, the young boy.
Jasmine, I think this is a very interesting point you bring up. Especially since anti-semitism has arose in countless countries now, Jews have the ability to give up easily, but they don't. When you explain that even when the dog gets shot and continues to return, your symbolism really spoke to me. Like after the Great Revolt, Bar Cochba Revotl, getting kicked out of countries almost every decade, progroms, and even now with the Israel Palestine conflict, Jewish have managed to still untie and become strong again. Etgar Keret's stories somehow can always relate to Israel in some way, especially in this story, I think it's a brilliant way to represent Jews as a nation!
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