Companion

Character Role Analysis

Gizmo/Barney the Dog

Mr. Futterman would approve of Billy's choice of pet. Barney is a good ol' American mutt. Gizmo, on the other hand, is foreign and exotic, which is appealing to some. Rand even believes the mogwai might be a national sensation.

RAND: They might replace the dog as the family pet.

This would be Mr. Futterman's nightmare. He doesn't like foreign things. And he ends up being mostly right, because all but one of the mogwai turn into deadly gremlins. But Gizmo proves to be a valuable companion, showing us that both the traditional and the trendy can be worthwhile friends.