Reader Response

Bradley Philbert’s narrative “Good” illustrates the painful process of making difficult decisions while remarkably sharing his personal tragedy regarding his beloved Shih-tzu, George. From visually describing his surroundings to personally sharing his feelings, Philbert sets his disconsolate scene by including his audience in his memorable misfortunes. He successfully displays an acceptable situation where acts of speeding the death of suffering beings is acceptable; furthermore persuading his readers that under the right circumstances, critical choices have to be made. His oppressive descriptions of George’s health issues successfully grasp reader’s attention, while forcing them to visualize and connect to the sorrows captured. Moreover, these descriptions help readers in overcoming personal struggles by bringing forth the reality of these situations. Philbert ensnares the unimaginable while releasing the truth of reality. Readers who have not experienced such tragedies are left speechless, while others, who have, are left comforted in knowing they do not stand alone. The idea of killing to end agony seems rather incomprehensible, yet Philbert unconsciously leaves his audience to think “what would you do?”
The piece as a whole, serves to be remarkably influential and impressionable. Philbert discusses and elaborates his opinion on ending a life to end suffering all while simply sharing a story. George’s death leaves the audience either questioning judgments or ensuring their opinions on the ethics of euthanasia. In the end, “George had left” and though Philbert did not agree with the decision he was forced to make, he came to realize the “good dogs