The phrase has been originated from the traditional parable. It signifies a person who selfishly stops others from enjoying something that serves no purpose for him. Despite its historical foundations, this expression continues to be meaningful in contemporary language and circumstances, which evokes petty or vengeful behavior.
Meaning of “Dog in the Manger”
The term ‘Dog in the Manger’ relates to an individual who prevents others from taking advantage of something, even though he does not have a personal interest for it. It demonstrates a form of selfishness , where a person derives enjoyment from denying opportunities to others, even if it brings no personal reward for him. The illustration brings to mind the firmness of a dog in a manger, stopping the animals from eating the hay, despite having no interest in the hay itself.
Origin of “Dog in the Manger”
The origin of the phrase is Aesop’s Fables, specifically from the tale of “The Dog in the Manger”. A dog in the fable refuses to allow the cattle to consume any hay from a manger. Even though it’s impossible for the dog to eat the hay, it nonetheless keeps it from animals for its own gain.
The fable aims to communicate a moral message concerning greed and spite, illustrating the dog as a representation of senseless jealousy or possessiveness. The phrase over time made its way into English to characterize anyone who shows a like unreasonable and blocking behavior.
Use of “Dog in the Manger” in Literature
Example#1
“The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare
“Thus it stands: the dog in the manger would let none lie on the hay.”
Shakespeare uses a reference to the dog in the manger in the play to denote someone who irrationally and possessively blocks others from enjoying something he does not need for himself.
It indicates the author’s regular exploration of human characteristics and selfishness, typically apparent in his multifaceted characters and their deeds.
Example#2
“Martin Chuzzlewit” by Charles Dickens
“As to Mrs. Todgers, she was a mere dog in the manger, and didn’t want anybody to have it.”
In this excerpt, Dickens describes Mrs. Todgers as someone who, in sheer spite, refuses to permit others to take advantage of something she neither wants nor needs.
This characterization brings to light the darker parts of human nature—jealousy and pettiness—which Dickens often investigated in his novelistic pursuits.
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Example#3
“Nicholas Nickleby” by Charles Dickens
“He seemed like the dog in the manger; not to want her himself, but to care that nobody else should have her.”
The author uses the expression to reflect a character who feels jealous and doesn’t want others to receive the affection of a woman, despite the fact that has not sought that affection himself.
The use of the phrase brings attention to possessiveness and the irrational wish to restrict the joy of others, even when there is no personal stake involved.
Example#4
“The Way We Live Now” by Anthony Trollope
“He was behaving like a dog in the manger—neither enjoying the fruits of his wealth himself nor allowing others to enjoy them.”
The term refers to a wealthy figure that uses his wealth neither for his personal needs nor for the enjoyment of others.
Through the use of the phrase, Trollope captures the spirit of selfishness and the refusal to relinquish resources even when they are going to waste, exemplifying the moral fault of greed.
Example#5
“The History of Pendennis” by William Makepeace Thackeray
“He was one of those selfish dogs in the manger, who neither could be happy himself nor suffer others to be so.”
In the novel, the writer terms someone who, motivated by sheer selfishness, prohibits others from being content, even when he cannot find joy in doing so.
This representation reveals the profound negativity coming from a “dog in the manger” attitude, reflecting how this behavior leads to widespread discontent with no advantage to the person behind it.
Use of “Dog in the Manger” in Modern Context
In recent usage, the term ‘Dog in the Manger’ is still frequently used to describe the people or groups that stop others from using resources or opportunities just because of spite or personal interest.
For example, in corporate or political atmospheres, a corporation could resist selling a piece of land that is not in use, just to hinder a competitor from utilizing it. Similarly, an individual may refuse to let a coworker undertake a task, not out of their desire to do it, but out of a reluctance to see another person succeed.
The phrase also refers to interpersonal dynamics, where one person may try to dictate or limit another’s delight, even when it provides them no benefits.
Ultimately, the “Dog in the Manger” symbolizes an lasting lesson about the injurious results of selfishness and hateful conduct, reminding us that such actions usually just bring about unnecessary irritation for all parties involved.
The phrase is as well associated with the idea of envy. Differing from just greed, which includes a wish to have something for personal use, “Dog in the Manger” behavior emerges from a failure to tolerate the success or happiness of others.
This demonstrates that envy may lead individuals to make choices that are detrimental to their own interests, only to block others from enjoying something they cannot experience or use. Such behavior is explored in literature, where the characters often reflect this dynamic, resulting in either their own ruin or the pain of the people in their lives.
In current psychological study, people often use the phrase ‘Dog in the Manger’ while addressing spiteful behavior and how people interact with one another. This represents a senseless attitude that emphasizes denying others instead of increasing one’s own advantages.
Such a thought process may cause conflicts, create strains within relationships, and miss chances for collaboration or shared rewards.
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