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Back to Julie and Her Wolves Guides |
Julie and her Wolves Themes and Connections:
Courage || Survival || Cultural Pride || Conservation
Miyax had learned from Kapugen that "fear can sometimes
cripple a person to the point that he cannot think or act." How does this knowledge give Miyax
the courage to leave Daniel in Julie of the Wolves?
Julie's courage not only saves her life but saves the wolves as well.
Review the three novels about Julie and her wolves, and discuss the many times that
Julie displays courage. What do you think is her most courageous act? Write a letter
to Julie telling her how much you admire her courage.
Survival
Miyax is resourceful and intelligent. How are these personal qualities significant to her
survival in the frigid tundra? How
does she continue to call upon these qualities to help her wolves survive? How does Kapu use
his leadership skills to help his pack survive? Locate a newspaper or magazine article about
people who have survived being lost in the wilderness, mountains, desert, or ocean. What
contributed to their survival? List personal qualities, in addition to being resourceful
and intelligent, that it takes to be a survivor.
Cultural Pride
Discuss what Peter means when he tells Julie that "Nations make borders, cultures do not."
How does Miyax's cultural pride almost cripple her relationship with her father?
Trace Miyax's attitude toward cultural changes among the Eskimos from the beginning of
Julie of the Wolves to the end of Julie's Wolf Pack.
How does she learn to successfully merge the two cultures?
Conservation
The Eskimos possess a strong belief in conservation. What might we learn from them regarding
the environment and animal
conservation? Why is it necessary that we have laws to protect
wild animals? Find evidence in the novels about Julie and her wolves that the wolf
society also practices conservation.
Communication
In Julie of the Wolves, we learn that "Wolves are brotherly". They love each other, and if you
learn to speak to them, they will love you too." Discuss how communication with the wolves
saves Julie and later saves her wolves. Julie has a difficult time communicating with
Kapugen about the importance of saving the wolves. What finally makes him listen?
How might Julie's ability to communicate with wolves and people serve her well in her
chosen profession?
Humor
Julie learns from her first encounter with the wolves that they are sometimes playful and
humorous. Find incidents in the
three novels where Julie's wolves play "wolf jokes." How does Julie know when the wolves are
joking? We learn from Julie's experience that people and animals
have much in common, especially
regarding social life and family
groups. Note and record important
facts about the wolf society from the
time Julie meets them to the end
when Kapu meets Aaka.
Communication || Humor
Courage
Julie of the Wolves | Julie | Julie's Wolf Pack
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