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Chapter 11
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Old Yeller, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
People and Animals
Masculinity and Emotion
Bravery vs. Fear
Coming of Age and Responsibility
Summary
Analysis
Both Travis and Old Yeller spend the next several weeks recovering from their injuries. As Travis swims in and out of consciousness, he has trouble telling whether the yowls and screams of pain he hears are his or Old Yeller’s. Mama works hard to keep Travis’s fever down and to make sure his leg is covered in a healing poultice made of mashed-up prickly pears. When Mama isn’t taking care of Travis, she’s tending to Old Yeller or doing all the tasks that need to get done around the ranch. Little Arliss is too young to help with most of the work, but he’s restless and lonely. He constantly pesters Mama, Travis, and Old Yeller to play with him.
The Coateses care for and take responsibility for one another in times of distress. As Travis and Old Yeller recover from their wounds simultaneously, Travis sees their plights as the same: he can’t even differentiate between their cries of pain. This further illustrates the book’s continual blurring of the boundary between the human world and the animal world.
Themes
One day, Bud Searcy and Lisbeth arrive to call on the Coateses—and they have a puppy in tow. It is one of the puppies from the litter that Old Yeller sired with Lisbeth’s hound. Lisbeth excitedly presents Travis with the pup, telling Travis that this dog is the best of the litter. Travis, however, is in so much pain that he’s not able to react appropriately to the sweet gift. He says he already has a dog and urges Lisbeth to give the puppy to Arliss. Travis can tell that Lisbeth’s feelings are hurt, but she does what he’s told her to do.
Travis likes and cares for Lisbeth—but when she brings a puppy by, ostensibly to replace Old Yeller should he fail to recover, Travis reacts without compassion. Travis is afraid of showing any weakness or emotion—even though he’s in a very obviously frail state and could use all the happiness, support, and comfort he can get.
Themes
As Travis lies in bed, beating himself up for being dismissive toward Lisbeth, he overhears Bud Searcy telling Mama that he plans to leave Lisbeth with her to help out around the house until Travis is well again. Mama balks, but Bud insists that Lisbeth is strong, capable, and mature in spite of her youth. Without hearing another word against the plan, Bud mounts his horse and rides away.
As Travis recovers from his terrible injury, he’s forced to watch Mama and Lisbeth take over all the tasks he’d been so proud of accomplishing all by himself in the first few weeks of Papa’s journey. This will likely be difficult for him, as being the man of the house and providing for his family was a source of pride for Travis.
Themes
