Homoerotic Canine

Symbolism is culture; culture forms symbolism. Up to this point, I've looked at the historic symbolism of dogs in various areas of society. Black poodles were affiliated with the devil in Medieval times. Dogs wove an intersection of culture, society, and religion with St. Guinefort. Dogs also helped portray good, and the virtue of the "eyes" of God in Medieval and Baroque art. However, we make a shift to contemporary times.

The movie My Dog Tulip, based on the novel My Dog Tulip published by J.R. Ackerly in 1956, showcases a varying representation of contemporary society. First, the movie was rather shocking. I had difficulty understanding the controversy surrounding the film, and book, during the first half. Nevertheless, as the movie turned into the latter half, I finally understood why it was so risqué. Dog sex, hinting at dog sexuality, canine sexual autonomy, a hint at anthropomorphism, and human qualities in animals aren't exactly societal standards: even for today.

My Dog Tulip. (2009)

Source: Detroit Metro Times

The 1950s wasn't known for its Progressive structure. The rather societal conservative norm would inherently clash with the novel. The hints and metaphorical representation towards homosexuality wouldn't help either. It was radical for the time but later took off in the 60s. My Dog Tulip alluded to a representation of shifting social norms, values, and standards.

Shifting to various representations of the novel. In Susan McHugh's essay Marrying My Bitch, she emphasizes the motif behind the novel. The experience of Ackerly as a repressed gay man in Britain during the 1950s truly shines through. His sexual frustration is expressed through Tulip. Tulip's inability to connect with others, emotionally and sexually, portrays his perceived shortcomings. Her clinginess and attachment issues showcase his emotional frustrations and capabilities. Going further than the basic symbol, McHugh writes, "Initiating Ackerly's later narrative uses of mongrels, this turn in this narrative positions pack sexualities against the arrangement of marriages..." (McHugh 39). The novel doesn't but additionally hints at his social critiques of Western forms of kinship. It becomes a subtle political piece about a heteronormative narrative.

Gay Dog

Source: Shutterstock

The usage of the story as a representation of queer issues is genius. The social taboo and stigma surrounding homosexuality are coarse and repressive during the time. The frequent usage of hormone treatments on gay men in the United Kingdom up until at least the 50s is an example. Searching through literary techniques, Ackerly manages to weave animal symbolism and social issues into writing. Animals manage to influence numerous portions of society.

From my own viewpoint, I initially found the reading and movie confusing. As a gay man, I should understand and emphasize some of his challenges and frustrations. However, I had to read McHugh's take on the book to understand the deeper meaning and reasoning behind the bike. What I considered to be a man's sexual perversions with dog sex is actually a symbol. A symbol that shows the autonomy of animals within a changing society.

Society has changed drastically since the publishing of the novel. Ackerly couldn't have predicted how society would react, but why the specific plot and resolution in the end. Perhaps the resolution of sexual autonomy for Tulip expresses Ackerly's hope for his own sexual liberations. Maybe it was hinting towards the gradual acceptance of queer people. Whatever his intent with the novel was, Ackerly shows how all throughout history, the relationship between dog and man shifts and takes on a variety of forms.

Dog in Tulips.

Be Funky. Source: Pinterest