In "Sounder", why is the dog the only character with a name?

Question

The book *Sounder* strikes me as quite unique, in that it gives a lot of detail, and yet most of the characters, even main characters like the boy and his father, are not named. The only character with a name is the dog, Sounder. And yet this seems so natural, that I didn't even notice it the first couple times I read the book.Is there any special significance to the dog being the only named character? Why do none of the other characters have names?

Answer 1

William,

I think you answered your own question as to why Sounder is the only character with a proper name.

The book flowed so smoothly the first couple of times you read it that that fact was barely noticeable. The answer likely lies in the fact that the book is about Sounder and the story line is viewed through his eyes. It's a story that is somewhat anthropomorphic in that Sounder takes on human characteristics and feelings.