Because of Winn-Dixie

Written by: Kate DiCamillo

The story Because of Winn-Dixie is an adventure about a girl named Opal and an ugly but humorous dog she finds in the local supermarket of her new town in Naomi, Florida. When she hears the owner of the store talk of sending the dog to the pound due to his reckless actions, Opal steps in and claims the dog in order to save him. Little did she know her new dog, named Winn-Dixie after the name of the store, would become the window for new friendships and help her learn forgiveness in her life.

            Although Winn-Dixie is a dog, he has very humanistic characteristics. Opal even believes he has the ability to smile at people. Because of this, Winn-Dixie seems to be making friends much easier than Opal. There are people her age that Opal does not seem to get along with. The girl her age named Amanda comes off as rude and inconsiderate and the twin boys, Stevie and Dunlap, only make fun of her. Opal then begins to seek friendship from people from all walks of life because of her dog.

The first person she befriends is librarian who spends much of her time telling Opal and Winn-Dixie crazy stories of her childhood. Opal then chases Winn-Dixie to the yard of a nearly blind but heartfelt woman named Gloria Dump. At Gloria’s house, Opal learns many life lessons with Winn-Dixie at her side. Opal also becomes friend with six-year-old Sweetie Pie who is truly interested in Opal because of her charismatic dog, but who can blame her. Furthermore, in order to pay for a collar for Winn-Dixie, Opal is working in the pet shop nearby where she becomes friends with an ex convict Otis. In the end of the story Opal and Gloria Dump decide to host a part and invite all of their friends including those that are Opals age. This party changes Opal’s perception and she learns that she must be a friend in order to have a friend.

            Opal’s home life is unlike many children her age. Her mother ran away when she was too young to remember her, and her father is the town preacher to everyone including Opal; Opal even refers to her father as the preacher rather than dad. Opal constantly is asking questions about her mother who she has no memory of in order to discover who she is. By the end of the story Winn-Dixie helps Opal move forward and learn to forgive her mother for leaving.

            An amazing part about this story is how Winn-Dixie is able to teach Opal lessons without ever saying anything. Winn-Dixie’s carefree and loving personality was contagious and taught Opal to live life happily by making friends with everyone and letting go of things she cannot change.