Once given human consciousness, Prince's journey works to answer many philosophical questions about what it means to be human and what a "good life" really means through Andr? Alexis' novel, Fifteen Dogs. Prince's relationship with language forms almost immediately, showing the innate relationship to communication that all existence has. Prince also begins to question the world around him, demonstrating a desire for knowledge and an inability to articulate answers. Prince's poetry showcases his need to attempt to make sense of everything around him through the means of language. His poems function as a method of trying to make sense of the senseless and ultimately show the paradoxical nature of language and raise the question of whether or not language hinders or enhances a life. The prince eventually dies, and in his death, he shows what is important to living a full and happy life: love. Despite his misfortunes, Prince remains optimistic and never gives up hope. He gives nothing but love to the world and ultimately receives love in return, making him the only dog ​​to die happy. Prince, in Andr? Alexis' Fifteen Dogs answers many questions about the nature of existence throughout her life; his complex relationship with language, his ceaseless optimism and love work to demonstrate the realities of life and how one can experience a good and full life. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Language plays a central role in Prince's life after being gifted with human intelligence. Once equipped with this new intelligence, the prince is described as "constantly finding words within himself" (Alexius 22). Prince, however, does not limit himself to creating this language; he even gets creative with language when he uses a play on words to describe the density of the bone he is chewing (23). For Prince, using language is natural to him and he doesn't feel the need to stop creating new words because they aren't "useful innovations," unlike other dogs (28). Prince finds the use of language for entertainment acceptable, leading him to recite poetry. While others struggle to accept Prince's poetry against their natural canine instincts, Prince allows himself to embrace this new way of thinking. Alexis describes her beliefs about language in an interview. Asked if he believes human language is superior to bee communication, he responds: “I find bees extraordinary; I think their language is fascinating. So I would never be so speciesist as to say that what we do is superior to what bees do. But what I would say is that I feel innately that our production of language is something like the production of wax. It's something we do as a byproduct of who we are. We don't see it that way. We see it as something wonderful that goes beyond us, something magnificent. Maybe bees see wax this way too. But I kind of think if you step back objectively and think, “well, because humans talk”… Ultimately, to me, we talk as who we are, as creatures, as beings. And bees produce wax and honey because of what they are as creatures, as beings” (Mustafa). Alexis' explanation of how he views human language allows for further insights into how the nature of existence is demonstrated through Prince. If, as Alexis says, language is innate to humans, then it is important that Prince is enveloped by words once he is gifted with human intelligence as it shows the true nature of existence. Prince directly shows the relationship people havewith words through his use of them for both practical and entertainment purposes. It's also important to note how this changes Prince in terms of his understanding of the world – or rather, his lack of understanding. Language training fosters Prince's ability to ask more questions about the world, but it also leads to a lack of understanding. be able to answer those questions due to the fact that the media are useless in attempting to articulate a true understanding of existence. The other dogs in the pack become annoyed with Prince when he begins asking “endless questions about trivial things: about humans, about the sea, about trees, about his favorite smells… about the yellow disc above them” (27-28). The pack is enraged by Prince's questions because, like dogs, they never experience such questions until they have received human consciousness. Prince's questioning nature comes immediately after his language formation, meaning that his language is what gives him the means to ask these questions. Prince's constant questioning reveals a deeper need to make sense of the world around him and also an inability to communicate any answers. The ways of the world are too complex for Prince's media to translate, and so he works to show how much of existence relies on the very media that are incapable of explaining it. Prince also finds the language fascinating and “[starts] thinking about it, almost from the moment the change [occurs]” (152). Prince's interest in lifestyles, accompanied by his abstract and thought-provoking questions, allows for commentary on the actual nature of existence, showing the paradox of language; the discovery of language means the non-discovery of life. It seems, however, that Prince tries to articulate his answers about the world within his poetry. Prince's poetry functions as a tool to express the inexpressible. Robin Ridington describes Prince's poems as “the discovery of something that is there but masked and revealed only by listening to it” (Ridington). This relates to Oulipo style poetry as it masks and reveals a name when read aloud. Even more important, however, is the hidden meaning of the poems and how it expresses the inexpressible nature of existence. While it's easy to pass off Prince's poems as simple art, it's important to recognize that they are more than that: they are contemplations on life. A great example of this is: “The lake comes to the edge as the lights come on around the bay. Somewhere nearby, the cow's meat is being singed. Smoke billows above the walkway. I ate the green that emerges black, risen cold from the torrid mud. I licked my paws and tasted blood. What is this world of lies? Some urban genius who feeds lies! (Alexius 157). In this poem, Prince makes sense of the world and contemplates mundane activities while adding a sense of importance – of questions. This is mainly seen in the line “I have eaten green that comes out black” (157). Prince is revealing the struggle to express the nature of existence within this poem by showing that there is something more to the activities he presents in this poem without actually saying it. Prince uses poetry to express what he otherwise would not be able to express. As Ridington states, “poems reinforce the importance of communicating meaning through the spoken word” (Ridington). Prince's relationship with language becomes even more complex when the very subject he loves forces him into exile. The pack of dogs find themselves fighting between the old and the new. Prince's adoption and immersion in the new language is controversial to the other dogs, forcing Prince into exile. Prince then places thequestion: “What am I without those who understand me?” (37). Prince's exile in a world where no one understands him refers to the human experience of immigrants entering a place where an entirely foreign language is spoken. In fact, Alexis also comments on this fact when explaining his own experience: “when I first arrived [in Canada], I spoke with a different accent. And so my perception of what the words were was different because Trinis said the words one way and Canadians said them another. The balance, the tone, the rhythm of the speech is different. So there was a real problematization of how a word is actually said and how a word means, what kind of variation you can give it” (Mustafa). In essence, Prince feels what many humans feel: only because of the barriers that language innately has. Although language appears to be natural to Prince, and thus, demonstrating how natural it is to humans, knowing it is what makes Prince feel alone. Prince's devastation at “having lost nearly everyone who [speaks] his language” reflects the need for communication and understanding (103). Without anyone to fully understand him, Prince proves that life simply isn't pleasant. Language, although it causes the poet of the book much pain, also brings him joy – enough joy to make Hermes win the bet. Poetry – and language in general – contributes to Prince's success in life. In fact, "Prince's relationship with the language of his pack influences his appearance and personality so much that...Apollo [becomes] increasingly uncertain about how the dog's life would end," causing him to fear that perhaps this dog he could really die happy (154). Language is what makes Prince a great candidate to help Hermes win the bet. Prince is even considered “lucky,” despite his loneliness because “there [is] at least one thing he [loves], one thing that [is] always with him: the language of his pack” (154). Prince's love for his language is enough to label him as "lucky", illustrating the need for love in human existence and proves that if you want to live a happy life, you need to hold on to what you love. Prince never gives up hope. He remains optimistic throughout his tumultuous life to preserve what he loves most: his language. Prince, having been faced with the task of navigating the streets without seeing, “[ignores] his blindness – or, rather, [accepts it] – and [goes] on his way as deliberately as possible” (160). ). While this is an exemplary example of Prince's optimism and perseverance, it is just one of many. Prince, having reached the end of his life, realizes that his language – what he loves most – will die with him. Instead of wallowing in his regret, Prince “[does] not despair” and instead decides that it is his destiny to “pass his work on to [its ultimate owners]” (165). When Prince loses his hearing, he seems to lose everything, including his happiness. Prince, instead of despairing, remembers an old poem. This memory of his language evokes feelings of gratitude and, more surprisingly, hope. The prince, “against all expectations,” dies happy (168). Prince constantly counts his blessings, rather than his ravages, even though he has many. Prince's devotion to his language and his absolute love for it is ultimately what allows him to live a good life and die happy, answering the question of what makes a truly full life. Prince's journey comments on many philosophical questions but, above all, demonstrates the ability to live happily. Safa Jinje points out that “at the end of the story, Alexis makes it clear that the virtues of love – being in love and being loved in return – are at the heart of a good life” 2017.