Dry

Hunting and animals are recurring sources of comparison in Dry. Kelton first uses this metaphor to describe how his family views themselves compared to others. The McCrackens consider themselves “herders,” while other people are divided into “wolves” and “sheep” (29-30). As herders, the McCrackens occupy a higher social position, which allows them to outmaneuver both the wolves (the bad guys) and the sheep (the normal people). In the beginning of the novel, Kelton uses this metaphor, which his father explained to him, to relate to others. For example, when he disagrees with Alyssa’s parents’ idea that the government will supply people with water, Kelton begins thinking about sheep and how unaware they are of obvious dangers.

Alyssa uses similar animal language when she first encounters Jacqui. Alyssa thinks, “She makes me think of something I learned in biology. How pack animals that go rogue are always hungrier and nastier, because it’s harder to hunt food without a pack” (133). This evaluation of Jacqui is aggressive, showing Alyssa’s distrust of strangers, as she immediately focuses on Jacqui’s obvious negative qualities rather than the fact that Jacqui just saved Alyssa from harm.