Old Yeller
Summary
Old Yeller, a beloved children's novel by Fred Gipson, has captivated readers since its publication in 1956. Set in the post-Civil War Texas frontier, this timeless tale of a boy and his loyal dog has earned numerous accolades, including a Newbery Honor. The book's enduring popularity led to a successful 1957 Walt Disney film adaptation, starring Tommy Kirk and Fess Parker, which further cemented Old Yeller's place in American cultural history.
Plot
Set in Texas in the late 1860s, Old Yeller follows Travis Coates, a young boy tasked with managing his family's ranch while his father is away on a cattle drive. Travis's life takes an unexpected turn when a stray yellow dog arrives at their homestead. Initially, Travis dislikes the dog, viewing it as a nuisance and calling it “Old Yeller” due to its color and distinctive bark. As the story progresses, Old Yeller proves his worth to the Coates family. The dog saves Travis's younger brother Arliss from a bear attack, rescues Travis from a group of wild hogs, and protects Travis's mother and their friend Lisbeth from a wolf. These heroic acts gradually change Travis's opinion of Old Yeller, and a strong bond forms between the boy and the dog.
The story takes a tragic turn when Old Yeller is bitten while defending the family from a rabid wolf. Fearing that the dog might become rabid and endanger the family, Travis is forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to put Old Yeller down. The novel concludes with Travis struggling to cope with the loss of his beloved companion, finding solace in one of Old Yeller's puppies, which helps the family move forward.
Themes
• Coming of age and responsibility
• Bond between humans and animals
• Sacrifice and difficult decisions
• Survival in the American frontier
• Family loyalty and support
• Overcoming prejudice and first impressions
• Coping with loss and grief
Setting
Set in the late 1860s, Old Yeller unfolds against the backdrop of post-Civil War Texas. The story takes place in the fictional town of Salt Licks, situated in the rugged Texas hill country. This setting reflects the challenges and opportunities of the American frontier during a period of westward expansion and settlement.
The novel's geographical context is characterized by the wild, untamed landscape of rural Texas. The Coates family’s ranch serves as the primary location, surrounded by the natural beauty and inherent dangers of the region. The isolation of their homestead underscores the self-reliance required of frontier families, particularly when the patriarch is away on a cattle drive to Abilene.
Fred Gipson's vivid descriptions bring to life the diverse flora and fauna of the Texas wilderness. From bear encounters to wild hog attacks, the setting plays a crucial role in the story's conflicts and Old Yeller's heroic acts. The harsh realities of frontier life, including the threat of rabies, are integral to the novel's plot and emotional impact, reflecting the era's limited medical knowledge and the constant struggle for survival in this unforgiving environment.
Characters
• Travis Coates: The 14-year-old protagonist who takes on adult responsibilities while his father is away. He initially dislikes Old Yeller but grows to love him.
• Old Yeller: A stray yellow dog who proves his worth to the Coates family through acts of bravery and loyalty.
• Arliss Coates: Travis's younger brother, a mischievous and adventurous young boy.
• Mrs. Coates: Travis and Arliss's mother, who manages the household while her husband is away.
• Mr. Coates: The father of the family, absent for most of the story on a cattle drive to Kansas.
• Lisbeth Searcy: A neighboring girl who becomes friends with the Coates family.
• Burn Sanderson: Old Yeller’s original owner, who ultimately allows the Coates family to keep the dog.
• Bud Searcy: Lisbeth's father, a lazy neighbor who often visits the Coates family.
Quick facts
• Published in 1956, Old Yeller was Fred Gipson's most successful novel.
• Gipson wrote two sequels—Savage Sam (1962) and Little Arliss (1978).
• Old Yeller received a Newbery Honor in 1957.
• Walt Disney adapted Old Yeller into a film in 1957, just a year after its publication.
• The story is set in the post-Civil War era, specifically the late 1860s.
• Salt Licks, Texas, where the novel takes place, is a fictional town.
• Old Yeller's name has a double meaning, referring to both the color of his fur and the sound of his bark, which is like a human yell.
• The dog in the book is described as a “yellow cur,” likely based on breeds like the Yellow or Southern Black Mouth Cur.
• In the Disney film adaptation, Old Yeller was portrayed by a Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix.
• Old Yeller has won multiple awards, including the William Allen White Children's Book Award and the Young Reader's Choice Award.
About the author
Fred Gipson
Fred Gipson (1908-1973) was an American author and screenwriter best known for his 1956 novel Old Yeller. This heartwarming tale of a boy and his loyal dog quickly became a beloved children's classic, earning widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including the prestigious Newbery Honor in 1957. That same year, Old Yeller was adapted into a popular Disney film.
Born on a farm near Mason in the Texas Hill Country, Gipson worked at a variety of farming and ranching jobs before finding his calling as a writer. After a few years as a newspaper journalist, he began writing short stories, drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes and frontier spirit of his childhood. His breakthrough came in 1947 with his second novel, Hound-Dog Man, which became a Doubleday Book-of-the-Month Club selection and sold more than 250,000 copies in its first year of publication.
Deeply influenced by his roots, Gipson continued to write novels with a western theme, infused with authentic depictions of pioneer life and the human-animal bond. He revisited the characters in Old Yeller in two sequels, Savage Sam (1962), which was also adapted into a Disney film, and Little Arliss (1978), which was published posthumously.