The Dog Character in the Translated Literature of the Spirit Mission of the Gentle Four-Legged Grim Reaper and Its Construction of Social Meaning

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the roles and the construction of social meaning of dog characters in the translated literary work Pharakit Winyan Yomathut Si Kha Phu Onyon (The Gentle Four-Legged Grim Reaper Mission, translated by the researcher) by Mikito Chinen, translated by Isaret Thongpasano, and published by Nation Books between 2021 and 2025. The study employs the concepts of roles and social meaning construction as its analytical framework and adopts a descriptive–analytical approach. The findings reveal that Mikito Chinen’s literary work clearly reflects four significant aspects of the roles and social meanings of dogs: (1) dogs as agents of emotional healing for humans, (2) dogs as creators and strengtheners of family relationships, (3) dogs within the dimension of social beliefs, and (4) dogs as moral instructors for humans. The author presents dog characters not merely as ordinary animals but as symbolic representatives of assistance and emotional healing, highlighting their profound impact on human lives.