179 Questions
What was the doctors' verdict on the grandfather's condition?
They couldn't stop the cancer
How did John perceive his grandfather at the breakfast table?
Full of life and vitality
How did the grandmother react to the doctors' news?
She sagged and became silent
What did the doctors ask the family to do two weeks ago?
Come into a small green room
What does John appreciate about the horses, Jim and Lars?
Their gentle courtesy and immense strength
What inspires John to compose a poem?
Encounter with a doe in the field
What does John struggle to understand about the doe?
What the doe was waiting for
What does John's grandfather emphasize about hunting?
It is simply a means of obtaining meat
What does the text highlight about hunting?
The respectful approach to hunting for sustenance
What does the narrative reflect on?
The deep connection between humans and nature
What does John find a distraction from his thoughts?
Hauling manure late into the night
Why does John prefer horses over tractors?
For their thoughtfulness
What does John's grandfather encourage him to embrace?
Unplanned beauty
What does the encounter with the doe leave on John?
A lasting impression
What is the purpose of hunting introduced in the text?
Obtaining meat for sustenance
What does John ponder despite his grandfather's advice?
The memory of the doe
What does John find joy and fulfillment in doing on the farm?
Milking, cleaning the barn, and feeding the animals
Who doesn't understand John's love for chores and considers it hard work?
Emil
What does John find the ritual of morning chores to be?
A series of small beauties
What does John become skilled at by age thirteen?
Milking
What does John struggle with the idea of, as a distraction from his worries about his grandfather's health?
Going back to school
What does John ponder while milking?
The idea of things changing when one looks away and back
What affects John's ability to focus on school and other upcoming events?
His preoccupation with his grandfather's health
What does John's grandfather share an appreciation for?
Japanese culture's ability to find beauty in small things
What does John try to distract himself from thinking about while milking?
His grandfather's deteriorating health
What does John's mind wander to while milking becomes automatic?
Other things
What does John struggle with the idea of, as a distraction from his worries about his grandfather's health?
Going back to school
What inspires John to create small poems in his mind while working?
The small beauties in the morning chores ritual
What is the main focus of the text?
The emotional struggle of a young boy facing his grandfather's impending death
How does the grandfather react to his illness?
He remains cheerful and continues with his daily activities
What does the grandfather's decision not to go deer hunting signify?
A significant change in their routine
How does John typically spend time with his grandfather?
Hunting deer
What does John try to find solace in?
The familiar routine of doing chores on the farm
What aspect of life does the impending death of his grandfather challenge for John?
His understanding of mortality
How does the story depict the emotions and challenges faced by the characters?
In a rural, family setting
What does the text primarily explore?
The theme of change and loss
How does John feel about the prospect of hunting alone?
It makes him confront the reality of death
What is the grandfather's reaction to not going deer hunting?
He accepts the change with grace
How does the text portray John's struggle?
As he grapples with the idea of change and death
What is the central focus of the story?
The emotional turmoil and struggle of a young boy
What does John confide in Emil about?
His grandfather's terminal cancer
What does John reflect on regarding killing deer?
Mixed emotions it brings
What does John find solace in?
School
What serves as a distraction and a way for John to cope with his emotions?
Farm work
What does the narrative highlight about John's struggle?
Finding balance and purpose amidst grief
How does John view school?
As a distraction from personal struggles
What does John do while milking the cow?
Starts crying
How does John handle the impending loss of his grandfather?
Forces himself to act as if everything will continue as usual
What does John reflect on regarding farm work?
The cyclical nature of tasks
What does John find in his immersion in farm work?
A distraction and a way to cope with his emotions
How does John view the external demands of farm life?
As a contrast to his internal turmoil
What does John do to act as if everything will continue as usual?
Discuss farm chores with his grandfather
What does John put on his meat for breakfast, which he learned from Emil?
Syrup
What does John believe is the best breakfast, based on his experience?
Meat and potatoes with syrup
What does John do to ensure that his grandfather doesn't have to save any food for sandwiches?
Sets some food aside for sandwiches
How does John describe the feeling he wants to have in his belly when hunting?
A little edge
What type of forest is John hunting in?
Mixed hardwood forest with poplar and willows
What does John deduce about the deer based on its tracks and behavior?
Likely sex, age, and health
What does John encounter in the swamp that leaves a lasting impression on him?
A doe covered in snow
How does the narrative depict John's hunting experience?
Solitary and focused
What does the narrative capture about the hunting expedition?
Detailed observations, physical challenges, and emotional resonance
What does John reflect on while struggling in the deep snow of the swamp?
His grandfather and the concentration required for hunting
What does John approach in the swamp before continuing to track the deer?
A pine and spruce island
What does John find in the swamp that mesmerizes him with its beauty?
A picturesque area likened to a fairy place
What does the text illustrate about John's respect for nature and hunting principles?
They are evident in his thoughts and actions
What is John tracking in the swamp?
Deer
What does John encounter in the swamp that signifies he had just missed the deer?
A deer bed
What type of forest does John approach in the swamp?
Pine and spruce island
What does John struggle to comprehend as he hesitates to shoot the doe?
The doe's recognition of him
What leaves John perplexed and filled with regret?
The doe fleeing
What does John feel compelled to do after failing to kill the doe?
Follow the doe's tracks into the snowy woods
What does the narrative primarily explore?
The internal conflict and moral dilemma faced by John
What does John recognize he cannot do after failing to kill the doe?
Hunt another deer
What does John reflect on regarding the doe's fear while running for her life?
The importance of speed for deer in evading mortal danger
What does the text imply that John is searching for beyond the hunt?
A deeper meaning
What does the narrative explore?
The complex emotions and ethical considerations associated with hunting
What does John cover the same distance as, taking significantly longer?
The doe
What is a central theme in the text?
The internal conflict and moral dilemma faced by John
What does John realize he cannot do after failing to kill the doe?
Hunt another deer
What does John feel compelled to do after failing to kill the doe?
Follow the doe's tracks into the snowy woods
What does John take with him when he prepares to go hunting?
A rifle and cartridges
What does John find challenging but rich in game during the fall?
The peat swamp-bog
What does the swamp provide cover for?
Raising deer and hiding fawns from wolves
What causes the deer to move away from the swamp in the fall?
The presence of wolves
Where does John focus his hunting efforts?
On the western edge of the swamp
What does John employ as a combination of hunting methods?
Moving quietly and standing still
What did John's great grandfather benefit from by settling near the swamp?
Good soil and access to deer hunting
What is seen as natural and not subject to human judgment in the text?
The wolves' hunting and killing style
What does the swamp become more accessible in during the fall?
Attracting various wildlife
What does John leave for the woods feeling after being in the warm kitchen?
The cold
What did John load at the edge of the woods before setting off into the quiet morning?
His rifle
What does John's grandfather teach him as hunting methods?
Moving quietly and standing still
What does the protagonist do when encountering the golden doe?
He is struck by its beauty, momentarily forgetting his purpose of hunting for food.
What does the protagonist reflect on while hunting in the winter?
The cold and the need to return before dark.
What does the protagonist's encounter with the doe reflect?
The delicate balance between appreciating nature's beauty and meeting basic survival needs.
What is attributed to the protagonist's experience and knowledge of the woods?
His grandfather's teachings.
What does the protagonist emphasize about the need to get the doe early?
To avoid discomfort and the need for survival skills in the woods.
What does the protagonist reflect on regarding the unpredictability of nature?
The unpredictability of deer's behavior and habits.
What does the text emphasize about the protagonist's internal struggle?
The internal struggle between the beauty of nature and the harsh reality of hunting for survival.
What does the protagonist contemplate while observing the doe's tracks?
Learning about its behavior and habits, and the unpredictability of deer.
What does the protagonist's experience and knowledge of the woods stem from?
His grandfather's teachings.
What does the protagonist's encounter with the doe highlight?
The unpredictable nature of hunting.
What does the protagonist reflect on about the need to focus on the present moment while hunting?
The unpredictability of nature and the need to focus on the present moment while hunting.
What does the protagonist observe about the doe's choice of a bed near the windfall?
The doe's choice of a bed near the windfall.
What does John contemplate doing to the doe without giving her death?
Touching her and making her his without killing her
What does the sound that came from inside signify for John?
A warning for the wolf
What does John feel as he starts walking with a purpose?
A sense of determination and direction
What does John experience when the thought of touching the deer comes to him?
A sudden and compelling desire
What does the protagonist become unable to distinguish between during his hunt?
Reality and illusion
What does the protagonist see around the doe's head during his hunt?
A strange light
What does the protagonist feel as though everything is, during his hunt?
A mirror
What does the protagonist reflect on regarding the lessons taught by the doe?
Profound lessons about life
What does the protagonist struggle to convey to his family after his return?
The events of his hunt
What is the protagonist's primary motivation for the hunt?
Saving his dying grandfather
How does the protagonist feel when the doe collapses from exhaustion?
A mix of awe and horror
How does the protagonist's grandmother react to his return?
Concern and relief
What does the protagonist struggle with, pushing himself to the point of exhaustion and sickness?
His obsession with the doe
What does the protagonist feel unable to fully explain to his grandparents after his return?
What happened to him
What does the protagonist reflect on regarding his inability to share his experience with others?
The profound lessons taught by the doe
What does the protagonist feel as he struggles to convey the events of his hunt to his family?
Physically and emotionally drained
What does John experience as he tracks the doe through the night?
A connection to the doe and a transformation in his identity
What does John feel as he drives the doe to exhaustion?
Conflicting emotions of love and self-hatred
What does John believe touching the doe will enable him to do?
Touch his grandfather's spirit and death
What does the text depict about John's transformation?
From a hunter to a figure consumed by obsession and delusion
What emotion does John feel as the doe collapses from exhaustion?
Both love and self-hatred
What does John become increasingly obsessed with as the story progresses?
The doe
What does John feel is being transferred between himself and the doe?
A part of him
What does John feel as he becomes increasingly delirious?
A strong connection to his grandfather and the doe
What does John believe touching the doe will allow him to do in relation to his grandfather?
Touch his spirit and death
What does John feel as he relentlessly pursues the doe?
Increasingly crazed and obsessed
What does John feel as he becomes increasingly fatigued?
A connection to the deer
What does John experience as he falls asleep while walking?
An inexplicable connection to the deer
What Gene Autry film was constantly shown at the makeshift movie theater in the nearby town?
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
What mishap occurred when the narrator's friend attempted a stunt from the movie by jumping onto a horse's back?
The horse bucked and threw the friend off
What did the narrator attempt to hunt off the back of a horse using a bow and arrows?
Buffalo
What was the name of the horse the narrator had a mishap with while attempting to shoot an arrow?
Old Jim
What did the narrator reflect on regarding the experiences with rodeo in Montana?
Learning little about horses
Where did the narrator find an old cabin and a wilderness trail in the Bighorn Mountains?
Solitude Trail
What drew the narrator to explore the mountains further?
The stories shared by older people in the town of Story
What did the narrator's experiences with horses and the Bighorn Mountains shape their understanding of?
Nature
What did the narrator acknowledge about the rodeo riders in Montana?
Their toughness and helpfulness
What did the narrator describe as leading to a hay meadow called Penrose Park in the Bighorn Mountains?
The Penrose Trail
What did the narrator reflect on about the Bighorn Mountains?
The allure and pull they felt towards the area
What did the narrator admit to learning little about from their experiences with rodeo in Montana?
Horses
What is the primary reason for the author's decision to get two horses?
To escape a sense of stagnation and limitation due to health issues
What does John's realization about death being inevitable and a natural part of life reflect?
A key theme in the conversation
What does the author's decision to get horses serve as, according to the text?
A metaphor for seeking a new perspective and a sense of freedom
What does John's commitment to taking care of the chores the next day reflect about his bond with his grandfather?
Shows the close bond between them
What does the author's limited experience with horses stem from?
Childhood memories of working with workhorse teams
What does the text hint at regarding the emotional impact of John's dream about the deer and his grandfather?
Leaves him waking up in a sweat, reflecting the emotional impact of the experience
What is the significance of the author's childhood memories of pretending to be cowboy heroes while riding workhorses?
Provides a nostalgic and lighthearted contrast to the heavier themes of the initial conversation
What does the author's move to Wyoming and decision to get two horses signify?
A desire to escape a sense of stagnation and limitation due to health issues
What does the text emphasize about the author's childhood experience of riding workhorses?
The massive and gentle nature of the animals
What does the text imply about the author's experience with horses and his decision to get two horses?
Serving as a metaphor for seeking a new perspective and a sense of freedom
What is the main focus of the text's transition to a diversionary trail about the author's move to Wyoming and his decision to get two horses?
Hinting at a contemplative and reflective tone
What is the name of the trail that leads from the town of Story into the lower peaks and a huge hay meadow called Penrose Park?
Penrose Trail
How many miles is it from Story up to the meadow and then a few more miles to an old cabin on a lake and the beginning of a wilderness trail through staggering beauty?
20 miles
What is the name of the wilderness trail that wanders through some seventy miles of mountains in a large loop?
Solitude Trail
What is the name of the dirt track that leads directly up out of the town of Story into the lower peaks and a huge hay meadow called Penrose Park?
Penrose Trail
What was the significance of Josh's behavior with the horses?
He communicated a message of trust and safety to the narrator
What did the narrator's decision not to buy a horse from the broker signify?
A strong moral stance against unethical horse trading
What does the narrator's experience with horses and accidents emphasize?
The potential danger associated with horses
What did the narrator's observation of the horses' behavior contradict?
The broker's lack of knowledge about trailering horses
What did the narrator's friends' accidents while riding horses highlight?
The inherent danger of horseback riding
What did the narrator's interaction with the horses challenge?
Their preconceived notions about horses
What did the narrator's decision to approach the horses signify?
A moment of curiosity and connection with the horses
What did the narrator's experience with the horses and Josh's behavior communicate?
A sense of wonder and connection with the horses
What did the author's limited experience with horses stem from?
The author's childhood experiences of riding workhorses
What led to the belief that riding packhorses would be relatively simple for the author?
Reading Westerns and winning awards for Western novels
What did the author turn to in order to find horse brokers?
The yellow pages
What did the horse broker offer to do for the author?
Bring the horses directly to the author's property
What did the description of the horse broker's outfit and vehicle provide insight into?
The character and appearance of the horse broker
What did the author's eagerness to embark on the mountain adventure, coupled with the eccentric arrival of the horses and the horse broker, set the stage for?
An intriguing and potentially challenging expedition
What made hiking impractical for the author in the high country in summer?
The heat and long distances
Where did the author live in proximity to the Bighorn Mountains?
In a small town near the Bighorn Mountains
What did the arrival of the horses catch the author unprepared for?
The horses being brought to the property sooner than expected
What did the horse broker's appearance and mannerisms contrast with?
The author's initial innocence and lack of knowledge about owning and keeping horses
What did the horse broker arrive in?
A gaudy pickup truck and flashy two-horse trailer adorned with nude woman silhouettes and other flamboyant decorations
What did the author turn to the yellow pages to find?
Horse brokers in Sheridan, Wyoming
Study Notes
A Boy's Reflection on Life and Death
- John is introverted, except for his friend Emil, and sees school as a chore, but confides in Emil about his grandfather's terminal cancer.
- John reflects on killing deer and the mixed emotions it brings, feeling sad and then experiencing a hard, almost exciting feeling.
- He starts crying while milking the cow, thinking about his grandfather, but stops himself, realizing it won't help.
- Despite the impending loss, life at home continues with John's grandmother occasionally crying and his grandfather's solemn moments.
- John finds solace in school, as it distracts him from his personal struggles and allows him to engage with something outside of his own life.
- He forces himself to act as if everything will continue as usual, discussing farm chores with his grandfather without dwelling on the inevitable.
- John handles the farm work after school, fixing equipment and tending to the animals, as the work feeds on itself, creating more tasks.
- The routine continues as John works tirelessly, fixing stoneboat traces, tending to the horses, draining the tractor, and sealing the granary.
- He reflects on the cyclical nature of farm work, where one task leads to another, creating an unending cycle of labor.
- John's immersion in farm work serves as a distraction and a way to cope with his emotions, allowing him to find purpose and focus during a challenging time.
- The narrative portrays John's complex emotions, from sorrow and reflection to the relentless pursuit of farm chores, as he grapples with the impending loss of his grandfather.
- The text captures the contrast between John's internal turmoil and the external demands of farm life, highlighting his struggle to find balance and purpose amidst grief.
Deer Hunting in Northern Central Minnesota
- John prepares to go hunting after a meal with his grandmother, taking sandwiches, an apple, and a rifle with cartridges
- He leaves for the woods, feeling the cold after being in the warm kitchen
- John loads his rifle at the edge of the woods and sets off into the quiet morning
- He employs a combination of hunting methods, moving quietly and standing still, learned from his grandfather
- The hunting ground is a peat swamp-bog, challenging but rich in game during the fall
- The swamp, despite being difficult in spring and summer, becomes more accessible in the fall, attracting various wildlife
- John's great grandfather settled near the swamp, benefiting from good soil and access to deer hunting
- The swamp provides cover for raising deer and hiding fawns from wolves, which are active in the winter
- The wolves' hunting and killing style, although brutal, is seen as natural and not subject to human judgment
- The presence of wolves in the fall causes the deer to move away from the swamp, making hunting good around its edges
- John focuses his hunting efforts on the western edge of the swamp
- The text provides a detailed insight into the hunting methods, environment, and wildlife in the northern central Minnesota peat swamp-bog
Hunting in the Woods
- The protagonist encounters a golden doe and is struck by its beauty, momentarily forgetting his purpose of hunting for food.
- The protagonist is conflicted between appreciating the beauty of the woods and the necessity of hunting for food.
- The protagonist follows the doe's tracks, learning about its behavior and habits, and the unpredictability of deer.
- The doe settles into a bed, giving the protagonist an opportunity to kill her.
- The protagonist reflects on the unpredictability of nature and the need to focus on the present moment while hunting.
- The protagonist contemplates the challenges of hunting in the winter, including the cold and the need to return before dark.
- The protagonist's experience and knowledge of the woods are attributed to his grandfather's teachings.
- The protagonist's determination to get the doe early to avoid discomfort and the need for survival skills in the woods.
- The protagonist encounters the doe unexpectedly, highlighting the unpredictable nature of hunting.
- The protagonist is observant and takes in the surroundings, including the doe's choice of a bed near the windfall.
- The text emphasizes the protagonist's internal struggle between the beauty of nature and the harsh reality of hunting for survival.
- The protagonist's encounter with the doe reflects the delicate balance between appreciating nature's beauty and meeting basic survival needs.
Touching a Deer and Reflecting on Life
- John shares a profound experience with his grandparents about touching a live deer after following it for two days.
- John's grandfather has a strong emotional reaction to John's experience, feeling a touch of pride and a sense of something significant.
- John's grandfather's emotional response hints at a deeper understanding of the significance of the event.
- John's realization that death is inevitable and a natural part of life is a key theme in the conversation.
- John's commitment to taking care of the chores the next day as a gesture of support for his grandfather shows the close bond between them.
- John's dream about the deer and his grandfather leaves him waking up in a sweat, reflecting the emotional impact of the experience.
- The text then transitions to a diversionary trail about the author's move to Wyoming and his decision to get two horses.
- The author's experience with horses is limited but rooted in childhood memories of working with workhorse teams.
- The author's decision to get horses is driven by a desire to escape a sense of stagnation and limitation due to health issues.
- The author's childhood experience of riding workhorses is described, emphasizing the massive and gentle nature of the animals.
- The author's childhood memories of pretending to be cowboy heroes while riding workhorses provide a nostalgic and lighthearted contrast to the heavier themes of the initial conversation.
- The text hints at a contemplative and reflective tone, with the author's decision to get horses serving as a metaphor for seeking a new perspective and a sense of freedom.
Acquiring Horses for Mountain Trails
- The author desired to explore the high country in summer, similar to experiences in Alaska with dog teams, but found hiking impractical due to the heat and long distances.
- With little knowledge of acquiring and riding horses for potentially dangerous mountain trails, the author sought to learn, drawing parallels to previous endeavors such as learning to run dogs for the Iditarod.
- The author's past experiences in learning new skills often led to physical injuries, including broken limbs, teeth knocked out, and other injuries.
- Despite limited experience with horses, the author had read Westerns and won awards for Western novels, which led to the belief that riding packhorses would be relatively simple.
- The author turned to the yellow pages to find horse brokers in Sheridan, Wyoming, before the widespread use of the internet.
- After contacting a horse broker and explaining the need for two horses - one to ride and one to carry a pack for an expedition into the Bighorn Mountains - the broker initially seemed skeptical.
- The author lived in a small town near the Bighorn Mountains, and the horse broker offered to bring the horses directly to the author's property.
- The horse broker arrived in a gaudy pickup truck and flashy two-horse trailer adorned with nude woman silhouettes and other flamboyant decorations, and his attire matched the eccentricity of his vehicle.
- The author's property had a small pasture with abundant grass and a three-sided shed, but the arrival of the horses caught the author unprepared as they were brought to the property sooner than expected.
- The description of the horse broker's outfit and vehicle showcased a flamboyant and extravagant style, providing insight into the character and appearance of the horse broker.
- The horse broker's appearance and mannerisms contrasted with the author's initial innocence and lack of knowledge about owning and keeping horses.
- The author's eagerness to embark on the mountain adventure, coupled with the eccentric arrival of the horses and the horse broker, sets the stage for an intriguing and potentially challenging expedition.
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