Posted by PJ on March 05, 2003 at 16:11:32:
In Reply to: A Hanging posted by tina on February 03, 2002 at 23:54:48:
I believe the dog comes in the story to upset the mundane mood that Orwell sets up, and bring reality into the picture. The laughter at the end is a type of nervous laughter. The men try to avoid the guilt of their previous actions by drinking, laughing, and distancing themselves from the scene.