The Law of Life Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What two senses were mentioned in relation to Old Koskoosh and in what condition were they?

Sight had faded, but hearing remained acute.

Who was Sit-cum-tú-ha and what was she in the process of doing?

She was Old Koskoosh's granddaughter, and she was trying to harness the dogs in the sled.

To what was Old Koskoosh close?

Death.

What did the old man reach for to give him some reassurance?

A small heap of dry wood. Signup and view all the answers

How was the chief and Old Koskoosh related?

Old Koskoosh was the chief's father. Signup and view all the answers

Whose was the last lodge to get dismantled and packed away?

The shaman's lodge. Signup and view all the answers

Who else remained briefly as the tribe took up the trail?

Old Koskoosh's son, the chief. Signup and view all the answers

What 'alone stood between him and eternity'?

The small pile of wood. Signup and view all the answers

What phases would occur after the stick burned off?

Frost would set in, leading to numbness in his feet and then hands, eventually resulting in freezing to death. Signup and view all the answers

How was this method of life viewed?

It was viewed as Nature's way. Signup and view all the answers

How did nature feel about the individual?

Nature had no concern for the individual; interest lay only in the species or race or tribe. Signup and view all the answers

What eventually came to all?

Death. Signup and view all the answers

What word did Jack London use to describe how individual members of the generations were regarded?

Episodes. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jack London use the measurement of a woman's aging to describe the process?

To illustrate the aging process and societal roles of women within the tribe. Signup and view all the answers

Where had Old Koskoosh abandoned his own father to die?

On an upper reach of the Klondike River during winter. Signup and view all the answers

Who came the year after Koskoosh's father died and with what?

A missionary came with a box of medicines used as painkillers. Signup and view all the answers

What problems did the missionary cause?

He brought no meat into the camp yet ate their meat heartily. Signup and view all the answers

How long did the great famine last that Koskoosh recalled?

7 years. Signup and view all the answers

What family member died during the famine?

Koskoosh's mother. Signup and view all the answers

What marked these tragic times?

No salmon runs in summer; no caribou migrated in winter. Children, women, and old men died. Signup and view all the answers

How were times of plenty different compared to the famine years?

Meat spoiled because there was too much; dogs got fat; the tribe let some game go unkilled. Signup and view all the answers

What two tribes conflicted with Koskoosh's tribe and in what directions were they?

The Pellys were to the south and the Tananas to the west. Signup and view all the answers

With whom did Koskoosh go out hunting as a young man and what event did they witness?

Koskoosh went hunting with Zing-ha, and they witnessed an old moose being pulled down and eaten by a pack of wolves. Signup and view all the answers

How did Koskoosh's friend die?

He fell through an air-hole on the Yukon River and probably died of hypothermia. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Old Koskoosh's Senses

Old Koskoosh's sight had diminished, but his hearing remained sharp and acute.

Sit-cum-tú-ha's Action

Sit-cum-tú-ha, Old Koskoosh's granddaughter, was attempting to harness dogs for a sled while cursing at them.

Death's Presence

Old Koskoosh was nearing death, reflecting a close encounter with mortality.

Symbol of Reassurance

The old man reached for a small pile of dry wood as a source of comfort and reassurance.

Family Connection

Old Koskoosh is the father of the chief, establishing a direct familial lineage within the tribe.

Shaman's Lodge

The last lodge to be dismantled and packed away belonged to the shaman, indicating its significance in tribal life.

Chief's Brief Presence

The chief, Old Koskoosh's son, briefly remained with the tribe as they commenced their journey on the trail.

Barrier to Eternity

A small pile of wood represented the only barrier between Old Koskoosh and eternity.

Process of Freezing

After the stick burned out, Old Koskoosh would experience numbness starting in his feet and hands, eventually leading to complete freezing and death.

Attitude Towards Life and Death

Old Koskoosh and his people viewed life as intertwined with nature, feeling a closeness to the earth from birth to death.

Nature's Indifference

Nature showed no concern for individual lives, only focusing on the survival of the species, race, or tribe.

Inevitability of Death

No matter one's diligence in life, the outcome remained the same: death awaited all.

View of Individual Lives

Jack London described tribal members' lives as mere episodes, often forgotten within a few generations.

Women's Roles in the Tribe

Women had defined roles that evolved from youth beauty to dedicated motherhood, ultimately leading to decline as they aged, all bound to the eventual law of life—death.

Abandonment of Koskoosh's Father

Old Koskoosh abandoned his own father to die on an upper stretch of the Klondike River during winter.

Arrival of the Missionary

A missionary arrived a year after Koskoosh’s father's death, bringing painkillers but no meat for sustenance.

Difficulties Caused by the Missionary

The missionary created issues by consuming the tribe's meat without contributing any in return.

Duration of Famine

Koskoosh recalled that a great famine lasted seven years, impacting the tribe severely.

Loss During Famine

During the famine, Koskoosh's mother passed away, highlighting the toll of scarcity on families.

Characteristics of Tragic Times

Marked by no salmon runs, failure of caribou migration, and the tribe's children, women, and elderly succumbing to starvation.

Times of Abundance

Plentiful years led to excess meat, fat and useless dogs, and more children, contrasting sharply with famine years.

Intertribal Conflict

Conflicts arose with neighboring tribes, the Pellys to the south and the Tananas to the west.

Young Hunting Experience

As a young man, Koskoosh hunted with Zing-ha, encountering a pack of wolves attacking an old moose.

Friend's Death

Koskoosh's friend died after falling through an air-hole on the Yukon River, likely succumbing to hypothermia.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Jack London's 'The Law of Life' with these flashcards. Each card focuses on key characters and themes from the story, allowing you to reinforce your understanding of the text. Perfect for literature students or fans of classic American literature.