Sheep

Significantly, the novel begins and ends with Jack serving the purpose for which he believes he was made—herding sheep. In the first chapter, when his job is taken from him, he spends the intervening chapters in The Search for Identity and Purpose, and this struggle demonstrates how profoundly his actions are affected by the need to become a more complete version of himself. Thus, in many ways, Jack’s experiences mimic the classic coming-of-age journey that human protagonists in middle grade novels often undergo, and the lessons he learns are designed to apply more broadly to human situations as well. Additionally, Hobbs uses the opening descriptions of Jack’s delight with the prospect of sheep herding to foreshadow his eventual rediscovery of his purpose. These scenes also demonstrate that Jack feels most fulfilled when he is useful. His love of herding reflects his strong sense of pride in his heritage, which he carries throughout the story. Though he doesn’t always realize it, he is constantly herding people or animals along even as the lessons he gains from these interactions herd him closer to his own destiny. The many relationships that Jack fosters therefore represent the reciprocal nature of life’s journey, as Jack influences those around him and learns from every experience he has.

It is important to note that Jack is a retrospective narrator who relates the story’s events by recalling them later in life. This narrative style allows Jack to offer more wisdom and context than his younger self would have been able to provide in the heat of the moment. Additionally, the very structure of the story implies from the start that Jack will eventually find his purpose and his home. Hobbs frequently inserts reminders of the retrospective narration, as when Jack makes statements about how different he was as a pup—often referring to himself as being more trustworthy and less cautious in his younger days. This style creates a more cohesive narrative that is not interrupted by the scattered thoughts that Jack claims to have had as a pup, and his wise reflections demonstrate how profoundly a person’s perspective of past events changes with age. A prime example of this dynamic occurs in Chapter 1 when Jack is first chosen to herd the sheep, as his older self wryly describes how he could not contain his excitement in that moment. Although this retrospective narration creates a sense of detachment from the events, the protagonist is also better equipped to impart his greater understanding, and this reflective tone permeates the narrative.

Once the young Jack is set loose from the confines of the farm, Hobbs introduces the more philosophical elements of her story in earnest. As Jack undertakes The Search for Identity and Purpose, he initially finds himself at the mercy of events that he cannot control and that threaten to sidetrack him from his quest altogether. For example, when the girl adopts Jack from the pet store and names him “Baby,” her acts of putting him in the stroller and treating him like a child suggest that he is being forced into a role that he has no desire to play. Still immersed in his nascent understanding of farm life and reeling from the dramatic changes in his world, Jack therefore displays an ambiguous reaction to the girl’s treatment. Because he is missing a sense of purpose to settle his restlessness, the physical comforts of his new home are not enough to sustain him, and his dissatisfaction reflects the fact that he is still missing The Intangible Aspects of Home. In keeping with his nature, he cares for the girl because she adopted him and offered him a home, but he feels trapped and useless with the girl because he cannot serve the purpose that he has identified for himself. The stifling nature of the relationship is further demonstrated by the girl’s tendency to tow Jack around in a baby carriage, as this goes against Jack’s nature to run and be free. Thus, even though he feels guilty about running away from the girl’s kindness, Jack’s departure reflects his need to be true to himself.

Because Jack spends a longer time with the Goat Man, it is clear that this lifestyle offers many of The Intangible Aspects of Home that he has so far been missing. This time in Jack’s life also represents the process of growing up and learning about himself and the world. Significantly, the Goat Man names Jack “Shep,” a label that implicitly links the dog to the images of shepherding and sheep. This decision shows that the Goat Man intrinsically understands Jack’s life and purpose, and in turn, the Goat Man is revealed to have great wisdom. As Jack busies himself with herding the goats, he also makes it a point to absorb all the knowledge he can. His time with the Goat Man marks a crucial stage in his coming-of-age journey, for throughout the rest of the book, Jack recalls this time in order to find guidance for his most recent challenges. This aspect of his behavior demonstrates the fact that a single person can have a great impact on another person’s internal development.

Within this context, the death of the Goat Man catalyzes the plot’s development, implying that Jack has learned all he can from this stage in his life and must move on to new adventures to apply what he has learned. For Jack, the Goat Man has fulfilled the sage archetype, acting as an older, more experienced person who mentors and advises a younger protégé. At the end of the Goat Man’s life, he considers his past, coming full circle as Jack eventually will. Jack’s need to continue on after the Goat Man’s death stresses The Search for Identity and Purpose. However, without the Goat Man’s guidance, Jack is confused and fearful, and The Motivational Power of Fear catapults him into the next stage of his journey. It is also significant that in Jack’s first fear-filled moments without the Goat Man, he instinctively reverts to the behavior he knows best—herding—even though he already knows that herding the goats is largely fruitless. In this moment, Jack herds them because he needs to regain a sense of purpose and a way to understand the changes happening around him. Once Jack finds a home for the goats, he moves on, showing that he is still searching for his place and purpose.