Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why did only Karana's father speak to the Russian?
Why did only Karana's father speak to the Russian?
He was the chief of the tribe.
How does Karana describe her brother Ramo's eyes?
How does Karana describe her brother Ramo's eyes?
They were black like a lizard's eyes.
What reason did the Russian give Karana's father for coming to the island?
What reason did the Russian give Karana's father for coming to the island?
To hunt for sea otters.
Why is the book called Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Why is the book called Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Why didn't the islanders make friends with the hunters?
Why didn't the islanders make friends with the hunters?
What was the good fortune that befell the islanders?
What was the good fortune that befell the islanders?
Why didn't Karana watch the Aleuts hunt sea otters?
Why didn't Karana watch the Aleuts hunt sea otters?
Why were the islanders working on the log that washed ashore?
Why were the islanders working on the log that washed ashore?
Why were the islanders concerned about the Aleut hunters leaving the island?
Why were the islanders concerned about the Aleut hunters leaving the island?
Why wouldn't the chief agree to Captain Orllov's offer at first?
Why wouldn't the chief agree to Captain Orllov's offer at first?
How did the chief try to get a fair deal?
How did the chief try to get a fair deal?
What was the myth that islanders believed lessened the chief's power?
What was the myth that islanders believed lessened the chief's power?
How many islanders were slain after the battle?
How many islanders were slain after the battle?
What is Karana's brother's name?
What is Karana's brother's name?
What happens when the Aleuts try to leave the island?
What happens when the Aleuts try to leave the island?
Who comes to the Island of the Blue Dolphins to hunt otters?
Who comes to the Island of the Blue Dolphins to hunt otters?
What happens to Karana's father in the first half of the book?
What happens to Karana's father in the first half of the book?
How old is Karana when the book begins?
How old is Karana when the book begins?
How did the role of the women change after the battle?
How did the role of the women change after the battle?
Why were the islanders unhappy?
Why were the islanders unhappy?
What did Ramo think the sea was?
What did Ramo think the sea was?
Who was the first chief of Ghalas-at?
Who was the first chief of Ghalas-at?
What is Karana's real name?
What is Karana's real name?
How did the villagers get so much white bass?
How did the villagers get so much white bass?
Why did the women have to start doing the men's work on the island?
Why did the women have to start doing the men's work on the island?
Why did Ramo go back to the island from the ship?
Why did Ramo go back to the island from the ship?
Why did Karana jump off the ship?
Why did Karana jump off the ship?
How did Ramo die?
How did Ramo die?
How long was Karana on the Island of the Blue Dolphins?
How long was Karana on the Island of the Blue Dolphins?
What does Ulape put on her face before she leaves the island?
What does Ulape put on her face before she leaves the island?
Who is in the village when Karana and her brother get back there after being left behind by the ship?
Who is in the village when Karana and her brother get back there after being left behind by the ship?
Why does Karana hesitate to make weapons?
Why does Karana hesitate to make weapons?
The man that took Kimki's place when he did not return was ______________.
The man that took Kimki's place when he did not return was ______________.
Won-a-pa-lei threw the Aleut beads and necklaces where?
Won-a-pa-lei threw the Aleut beads and necklaces where?
When the villagers left the ship, Won-a-pa-lei did not want to live in the village alone so she ______________________.
When the villagers left the ship, Won-a-pa-lei did not want to live in the village alone so she ______________________.
The natives decided they would leave if the Aleuts returned; they would go to ____________________.
The natives decided they would leave if the Aleuts returned; they would go to ____________________.
This book is based on the true story of a girl who was stranded on an island as long as Karana was on San Nicolas.
This book is based on the true story of a girl who was stranded on an island as long as Karana was on San Nicolas.
Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Karana is the protagonist, a young girl who is 12 years old at the story's beginning.
- Ramo is Karana's younger brother, described as having black eyes akin to a lizard.
- Chief Chowig is the chief of the tribe, who interacts with the Russian hunters during their visit to the island.
- Karana's father, the chief, ultimately is killed by the Aleutian hunters.
Plot Points and Setting
- The story takes place on an island named after dolphins, reflecting its shape.
- The visitors, including Russians and Aleuts, come to the island to hunt sea otters.
- Historically, the islanders had bad experiences with visitors, leading to distrust.
- After a battle with the Aleuts, many islanders, including men, are killed, prompting a shift in roles; the women must take on more work.
Conflicts and Changes
- Ramo's death is pivotal; he is killed by wild dogs after returning for his spear.
- The children were left behind when the islanders escaped on a ship after fearing the Aleuts would leave without compensation.
- Karana faces internal conflict, including the laws forbidding women from making weapons, which she contemplates when forced to survive alone.
Survival and Adaptation
- Karana adapts to her isolation on the island over a span of eighteen years.
- She develops a bond with the sea otters and avoids watching their hunting, emphasizing her connection to nature.
- She faces the challenge of remaining unmarried according to her tribe’s customs, demonstrated by the mark she wears on her face.
Cultural Elements
- The islanders have beliefs that include myths about names having power, affecting their chief's authority.
- There is a mention of a mark signifying unmarried women, represented by Ulape, Karana's companion.
- The struggle between the characters embodies themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of external influences on indigenous life.
Significant Events and Their Implications
- The arrival of a school of white bass is seen as a stroke of good fortune for the islanders after a troubling period.
- The chief’s negotiation tactics involved keeping sea otter pelts until the Aleuts fulfilled their payment promise.
- The decision to abandon the village due to fear of returning Aleuts leads to a collective agreement to seek refuge on Santa Catalina Island.
Historical Context
- The story reflects the real-life events of indigenous peoples on San Nicolas Island, impacted by Russian sailors and Otter hunting.
- The narrative emphasizes the resilience of the indigenous culture despite external pressures and violence, showcasing the pivotal change after a significant battle with the Aleuts.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on chapters 1-9 of 'Island of the Blue Dolphins'. This quiz features flashcards with key terms and important questions that help you delve deeper into the characters and events of the story. Perfect for reviewing crucial details and themes.
