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who is the main character of island of the blue dolphins

by Mr. Austyn Lesch Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is the moral of island of the Blue Dolphins?

What is the moral of Island of the Blue Dolphins? One day a ship comes to pick the tribe up. A girl named Karana realizes that her brother is not on the boat and swims back to the island to get her brother. The ship did not stop so they were stuck alone on the Island. The moral of the story is to teach you to never give up and to put others ...

What is the plot of island of the Blue Dolphins?

The story of a Native American girl, abandoned on a tiny island, who is protected by a wild dog. When her whole tribe disappears from Westerners, Karana and her brother have to survive themselves. However, her brother is killed by wild dogs, and, all alone, she needs to survive on her own before befriending the very dog that killed her brother.

What is the summary of the story 'island of the Blue Dolphins'?

Island of the Blue Dolphins Summary. The novel is narrated by twelve-year-old Karana, who belongs to a small tribe of Native Americans living on the island of Ghalas-at, off the coast of California. She is the daughter of Chief Chowig, and is very close to her family, which includes her older sister Ulape and her six-year-old brother Ramo.

What is the problem on island of the Blue Dolphins?

the conflict in the island of the blue dolphins is that she is a girl who is not alowed to make weapons, yet she does anyway to survive. she jumped off the boat because her brother had not yet boarded and they were left stranded. soon he dies, attacked by wlid dogs, and she must fend for herself.

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Who are the characters in the story Island of the Blue Dolphins?

Character ListKarana (also Won-a-pa-lei) The protagonist and narrator of the book, Karana spends eighteen years as the only living person on the island of the blue dolphins. ... Rontu. ... Tutok. ... Ramo (Chief Tanyositlopai) ... The Aleuts. ... Ulape. ... Chowig. ... Captain Orlov.More items...

Who are the minor characters in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

Island of the Blue Dolphins CharactersKarana (Won-a-pa-lei) Karana is a female, environmentally-friendly version of great adventure heroes like Robinson...Ramo. Ramo is Karana's younger brother. ... Ulape. Ulape is the girly sister of Karana. ... Rontu. ... Tutok. ... Chief Chowig. ... Captain Orlov and the Aleuts. ... Mon-a-nee.More items...

How old is Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

12 years oldKarana, only 12 years old at the book's beginning, turns out to be adept at hunting, building and tool-making, and quickly becomes a strong, capable young woman surviving in an unforgiving wilderness.

What do you learn about Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

By the time the last ship arrives on the island, Karana has changed from a young, inexperienced girl into a strong, courageous, and compassionate woman. She has learned about the value of all life, the importance of human interaction, and the strength that comes from honoring and respecting your environment.

What is Karana's secret name?

When Tutok asks Karana's name, Karana tells her "Won-a-pa-lei" instead of her secret name. In Karana's mind, her father, Chowig, died because he revealed his secret name to Captain Orlov.

What is the conflict in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

First, and most importantly, Ramo is killed by a group of wild dogs. For Karana, the loss is devastating, and she vows to avenge her brother's death. Her desire to hunt down the dog pack that killed Ramo is the driving conflict in the book's first half.

How did Karana survive?

Alone on the island, Karana takes on traditionally male tasks, such as hunting, making spears, and building canoes to survive. She vows to avenge her brother's death and kills several of the dogs, but has a change of heart when she encounters the leader of the pack. She tames him and names him Rontu.

Where is Karana buried?

Mission Santa Barbara(O'Dell spared his protagonist, Karana—and his young readers—this fate.) She was buried at Mission Santa Barbara.

Who did Karana forgive?

At that time he was angry with hunters' disrespect for life. Writing this book was one way that he dealt with this anger. Karana displayed an ability to forgive her enemies. She showed this when she made friends with Rontu, the former leader of the wild dogs who had killed Ramo, her brother.

What is the theme of Island of the Blue Dolphins?

One of the central themes is the importance of friendship. Karana has been raised to live in harmony with the other members of her community, as well as the creatures of land and sea. Friendship helps all of these creatures to survive, since it inspires them to endure during difficult times.

What is the setting of Island of the Blue Dolphins?

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a work of historical fiction based on the life of an American Indian woman who spent 18 years in isolation on San Nicolas Island, one of eight Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. In the book she's named Karana.

Why is it called Island of the Blue Dolphins?

It is an island in the Pacific that gets its name from its beautiful shape from above it looks like a dolphin lying on its side, "with its tail pointing toward sunrise," sunning itself in the sea. Around it blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds thrive.

1. Karana notices a ship on the horizon and belives it belongs to the alutes would you have hidden or would you try to communicate with them?

This is asking for your opinion rather than mine. For what its wort, I would have hidden. I' generally a "scardy cat".

Why did the russian come to the island

They come to hunt seals.

What deal did captain orlov and chief chowig make?

Captain Orlov reassures Chowig that this time they will do their own hunting and will pay the villagers with half of their catch.

How old is Ramo?

Ramo is Karana ’s six-year-old brother and Chief Chowig ’s son. He’s small for his age, but very intelligent and observant. He’s often getting into trouble and making mischief, which is very annoying for Karana… read analysis of Ramo

Who is Tutok in The Blue Dolphins?

Tutok is an Aleut girl who comes to the Island of the Blue Dolphins with the Aleut hunters during the Aleuts’ second visit. She’s a few years older than Karana. At first, Karana is… read analysis of Tutok/The Girl

Who is Kimki in Karana?

Kimki is an elderly man in Karana ’s tribe who takes over as chief after Chief Chowig dies. He’s chosen because he was a good man and hunter in his youth. He makes the decision… read analysis of Kimki

Who is Karana's dog?

Rontu is Karana ’s dog. Before she captures and tames him, she refers to him as “the leader,” as he’s the leader of the wild dogs’ pack. She believes he came to the Island of… read analysis of Rontu/The Leader

Who is Tainor in the movie?

Tainor is a male songbird that Karana tames after taking him from his nest as a hatchling. He’s Lurai ’s brother.

Who is Captain Orlov?

Captain Orlov is the Russian captain of the Aleut ship. He’s blond and tall with a beard, and Karana observes that, from the moment he arrives, he acts as though he owns the Island of… read analysis of Captain Orlov

Who takes over as Chief after Kimki takes a canoe east?

Matasaip takes over as chief briefly after Kimki takes a canoe east.

What is Rontu Aru?

Rontu-Aru. The dog that Karana adopts after Rontu dies. She assumes he is Rontu's son because they resemble one another. The name means "Son of Rontu.". Study Guide Navigation. About Island of the Blue Dolphins. Island of the Blue Dolphins Summary. Character List. Glossary.

What does Karana feel about Ramo?

Ramo is a playful young boy, and Karana feels a deep sense of responsibility for his safety and happiness. When he is accidentally left behind on the island, Karana stays with him.

How old is Karana in the book?

The heroine of the novel, a twelve-year-old Native American girl who lives on the island of Ghalas-at. When her people decide to migrate to the California mainland, Karana stays behind with her brother, who did not make it to the ship in time. When her brother dies, Karana must survive alone on the island for decades as she waits for rescue.

What does "won a nee" mean in the movie?

An otter wounded by the Aleuts. Karana later realizes that the otter is female, and renames her Won-a-nee, which means "Girl with Large Eyes."

How old is Karana's sister?

Karana's sister, who is fourteen at the beginning of the novel. She is preparing for marriage when the tribe leaves the island, and Karana often wonders about her life on the mainland.

Is the otter male or female?

Karana adopts her and nurses her back to health. Initially, Karana thinks the otter is male and names it Mon-a-nee, which means "Little Boy with Large Eyes.". It is only when she sees the otter with babies several months later that she realizes it is female.

Who is Captain Orlov?

Captain Orlov. The Russian commander of the otter hunting party. He attempts to swindle Chief Chowig and the natives of Ghalas-at by not paying them to hunt their otter. This disagreement leads to a battle in which most of the natives are killed.

What happened to Ramo and Karana?

The siblings live alone on the island, hoping the ship will return. However, Ramo is brutally killed by a pack of feral dogs. Alone on the island, Karana takes on traditionally male tasks, such as hunting, making spears, and building canoes to survive. She vows to avenge her brother's death and kills several of the dogs, but has a change of heart when she encounters the leader of the pack. She tames him and names him Rontu (meaning "Fox Eyes" in her language).

What happens to Karana and Tutok?

Fearful of being discovered, Karana goes out only at night, yet the curious girl stalks Karana, and the two meet. Karana and Tutok exchange gifts and she realizes how lonely she has been. Karana wishes that Tutok would not leave, yet the next day when Karana makes food for her she does not come.

What does Karana do in the Aleuts?

Over time, Karana makes a life for herself. She builds a home made of whale bones and stocks a cave with provisions in case the Aleuts come back, so she can hide from them. As she explores her island, Karana discovers ancient artifacts and a large octopus (which she calls a devilfish). As time passes, she decides to hunt the devilfish. She also tames some birds and an otter while feeling a close kinship to the animals (the only inhabitants of the island beside herself).

What does Karana wear in the spring?

It moors just off-shore but then leaves. Two years later in the spring, the boat returns. Karana dresses in her finest attire , a dress of cormorant feathers, and waits on the shore for the boat. Her rescuers make a dress for her, as they believe her dress of cormorant feathers is not appropriate for the mainland.

What is the name of the girl in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

Followed by. Zia. Island of the Blue Dolphins is a 1960 children's novel by American writer Scott O'Dell, which tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Karana, who is stranded alone for years on an island off the California coast. It is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Native American left alone ...

What is the name of the movie that tells the story of a girl who is stranded alone for?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For the namesake film, see Island of the Blue Dolphins (film). Island of the Blue Dolphins is a 1960 children's novel by American writer Scott O'Dell, which tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Karana, who is stranded alone for years on an island off the California coast.

Where are the old redwood boxes?

In 2009, the University of Oregon archaeologist Jon Erlandson found two old redwood boxes eroding from an island sea cliff, with whalebone placed on top of them. With colleagues René Vellanoweth, Lisa Barnett-Thomas, and Troy Davis, Erlandson salvaged the boxes and other artifacts before they were destroyed by erosion. Vellanoweth and Barnett-Thomas later excavated the interior of the boxes in a San Nicolas Island laboratory and documented nearly 200 artifacts of Nicoleño, Euro-American, and Native Alaskan manufacture. The boxes appear to have been cached intentionally sometime between 1725 and 1743. It was also believed the Lone Woman lived in a cave on the island.

What is Karana's aversion to killing?

She waits until two battling male sea lions provide her with a dead animal in the natural order of things. These decisions culminate in her refraining from killing the enemy Aleut girl, Tutok. Even though Karana is especially afraid of the girl, who might betray her to the other Aleuts, she withholds her weapons, and a fruitful friendship ensues. In the cases of both Rontu and Tutok , Karana's ability to put compassion and forgiveness above vengeance is rewarded by friendship. But her friendship with Tutok causes Karana to feel more deeply her need for human society, and after her friend's departure, Karana looks forward with renewed intensity to the day of her rescue.

How old is Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins?

There is only one character for most of the story in Island of the Blue Dolphins, the fourteen-year-old (at the beginning) Karana; readers see, hear, and react entirely through her. Through her eyes they see her father, chief of the tribe, killed by the invading Aleuts from the north; readers share in her decision to jump off the ship that comes to evacuate the tribe because her younger brother was accidentally left on the island; she soon loses her brother to wild dogs and is thenceforth entirely alone, except for the brief encounter, months later, with the Aleut girl. Karana has many adventures as she, Crusoe-like, creates a home for herself, and makes some hunting weapons. This she must do from the memory of having watched the men, as tribal rules forbade the making of weapons by women. Slowly, through her experiences, thoughts, and feelings, one sees Karana change from a child to a woman. She develops attitudes and has emotions that often have to be inferred or perceived through her understated manner of expression — emotions for which she has no words but which one can nevertheless understand. For example, she does not try to explain to herself why she does not kill the wild dog, when she had gone to such trouble to track him down and wound him. But she does not have to explain it. This is O'Dell's mode of characterization: a minimum of explicit statement or explanation; rather, a few carefully selected words and images that convey meaning by strong suggestion — and the reader, as O'Dell says, can do the rest. It is a technique which seems well suited to portraying his taciturn and stoic young Indian heroines.

What is the story of Karana?

The narrative focuses on Karana's mental and emotional reactions to her predicament. Initially, she experiences a sense of loss—the loss of loved ones, of the security of a social structure, of reliable sources of sustenance. Through her ordeal, Karana gradually achieves a sense of self-reliance and acquires a degree of order. The need for some kind of community leads the girl to form a "family," by rescuing and taming wild creatures: an orphaned otter, two birds, and, most significantly, the wild dog that she initially sought to destroy in revenge for its pack having killed her brother. She names the dog Rontu, and he becomes her friend and protector.

What is Karana's main concern?

The novel's primary concern is Karana's personal development. Living under conditions of extreme duress, she gradually sheds attitudes and traits that inhibit the full growth of her mature personality. In overcoming her earlier limitations—feelings of hatred and desire for revenge—she acquires the virtues of understanding, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

Who is Karana's father?

The characters who make up her family appear only in the story's beginning and are presented with no real depth: her father, Chowig, is the dignified, wise chief of the village ; her older sister, Ulape, is intelligent, but more flirtatious than Karana; her brother, Ramo, is an endearing mixture of pride, ingenuity, and mischief.

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Overview

Plot summary

The main character is a Nicoleño girl named Won-a-pa-lei, whose secret name is Karana. She has a brother named Ramo and a sister named Ulape. Her people live in a village called Ghalas-at and the tribe survives by gathering roots and fishing.
One day, a ship of Russian fur hunters and Aleut people led by Captain Orlov arrive and persuade the Nicoleños to let them hunt sea otter in exchange for other goods. However, the Russians atte…

Historical basis

The novel is based on the true story of "The Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island," a Nicoleño Native Californian who lived alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island, one of the Channel Islands off the California coast.
Around 1835, the Nicoleño people were taken aboard a ship headed for California with the intention that missionaries would convert them upon arrival on the mainland. Once aboard the s…

Publication

After witnessing animal cruelty near his home, O’Dell first wrote Island of the Blue Dolphins to promote a respect for all forms of life in 1960. Its first submission was turned down, as the publisher believed the story should feature a male protagonist. Yet, O’Dell felt strongly about Karana’s presence and looked to other publishing companies. Although he wrote the novel with the intended audience of adults, O’Dell’s next publisher suggested that it would be better for chil…

Film adaptation

A film adaptation of Island of the Blue Dolphins was released on July 3, 1964. It was directed by James B. Clark and starred Celia Kaye as Karana. Jane Klove and Ted Sherdeman adapted the script from O'Dell's novel, and the film was produced by Robert B. Radnitz and Universal Pictures. The film was made on a slight budget but did receive a wide release three months after its New York premiere. Howard Thompson writing for The New York Times characterized it as a children's film…

Reception

At the time of the book's publication, The Horn Book Magazine said: "Years of research must have gone into this book to turn historical fact into so moving and lasting an experience." In a retrospective essay about the Newbery Medal-winning books from 1956 to 1965, librarian Carolyn Horovitz wrote: "The girl, Karana, is portrayed in such intimate and close relationship with the natural elements of her background, the earth, the sea, the animals, the fish, that the reader is gi…

Analysis

Since the time of its publication, Island of Blue Dolphins has been the subject of many pieces of literary scholarship. The text explores the themes of independence, vulnerability, growth, survival, paternalism, and rescue, among others. The first person point of view employed throughout the text is another narrative technique that serves to strengthen Karana’s characterization and convey her courage and love.

See also

• Il’mena

1.Island of the Blue Dolphins: Character List | SparkNotes

Url:https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/dolphins/characters/

33 hours ago Karana (also Won-a-pa-lei) The protagonist and narrator of the book, Karana spends eighteen years as the only living person on the island of the blue dolphins. When the book opens, she is twelve years old, the daughter of the chief of Ghalas-at. Resourceful and resilient, she survives on her own after her tribe deserts Ghalas-at.

2.Island of the Blue Dolphins Character Analysis | LitCharts

Url:https://www.litcharts.com/lit/island-of-the-blue-dolphins/characters

4 hours ago Karana. The protagonist of the novel, Karana is stranded on the Island of the Blue Dolphins, where she grew up, at age 12. When readers meet Karana, she’s responsible, dedicated, and caring. She and her older… read analysis of Karana.

3.Island of the Blue Dolphins Characters | GradeSaver

Url:https://www.gradesaver.com/island-of-the-blue-dolphins/study-guide/character-list

26 hours ago Karana. The heroine of the novel, a twelve-year-old Native American girl who lives on the island of Ghalas-at. When her people decide to migrate to the California mainland, Karana stays behind with her brother, who did not make it to the ship in time. When her brother dies, Karana must survive alone on the island for decades as she waits for rescue.

4.Island of the Blue Dolphins - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_the_Blue_Dolphins

27 hours ago  · What is the main character in Island of the Blue Dolphins? Karana TutokChief ChowigCaptain OrlovRamo Island of the Blue Dolphins/Characters. Plot summary. The main character is a Nicoleño girl named Won-a-pa-lei, whose secret name is Karana. She has a brother named Ramo, whose curiosity usually leads to trouble, and a sister named Ulape.

5.Island of the Blue Dolphins Characters - eNotes.com

Url:https://www.enotes.com/topics/island-blue/characters

10 hours ago  · Download Island of the Blue Dolphins Study Guide Subscribe Now Karana, the main character of the story, exhibits extraordinary courage and resourcefulness during her years alone on the island.

6.Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins: Character Traits

Url:https://study.com/academy/lesson/karana-in-island-of-the-blue-dolphins-character-traits-facts.html

30 hours ago Then, who is the narrator of the Island of the Blue Dolphins? Karana . Also, what is the setting of the Island of the Blue Dolphins? The setting of this story is based on that island, so it was natural for O’Dell to use this fictional island as his setting.

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