Old Yeller
Old Yeller himself is symbol that heroes comes in all forms. He saves Arliss from a bear, Mama from a loafer wolf, Travis from wild hogs, and the entire family from a rabid wolf, which ultimately results in his own death.
Death of Old Yeller
The death of Old Yeller is symbolic because it is comparable to that of losing a family member. As a young boy, this is Travis’s first insight into losing a loved one and dealing with the real challenges that life may bring him in the future.
Yeller
The name Yeller stems from both the color of the dog and the sound of his bark. The color yellow is symbolic for happiness and light, which is what the dog is to the Coates family.
Putting down Old Yeller
Travis’ decision to put down the dog himself is symbolic of his transition from being a young boy to a man. He is able to collect himself to carry out a mature decision and put aside his grief to make sure Old Yeller dies peacefully.
