 Gary uses the novel as a vehicle to denounce both racism and the activists supporting African @-@ American rights , including his own ex @-@ wife and Marlon Brando . He also examines whether human responses to situations , including racism , are learned social behavior and whether they can be unlearned . In 1981 , it was adapted into the controversial film of the same name , in which director Samuel Fuller made various changes to the novel 's story to focus more on the dog and present a more pessimistic ending than the original novel . The film 's American release after negative press from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ) led to concerns of boycotts . 
 Gary <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>uses</mark></a> the novel as a vehicle to denounce both racism and the activists supporting African @-@ American rights , including his own ex @-@ wife and Marlon Brando . He also <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>examines</mark></a> whether human responses to situations , including racism , are learned social behavior and whether they can be unlearned . In 1981 , it was adapted into the controversial film of the same name , in which director Samuel Fuller made various changes to the novel <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>story to focus more on the dog and present a more pessimistic ending than the original novel . The film <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>American release after negative press from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ) led to concerns of boycotts . 
Gary use the novel as a vehicle to denounce both racism and da activists supporting African @-@ American rights , including his own ex @-@ wife and Marlon Brando . He also examine whether human responses to situations , including racism , are learned social behavior and whether they can be unlearned . In 1981 , it was adapted into tdacontroversial film of the same name , in which director Samuel Fuller made various changes to thdaovel  story to focus more on thedag and present a more pessimistic ending den the original novel . The film  American release after negative press from the National Association fir the daancement of Colored People ( NAACP ) led to concerns of boycotts .