Island of the Blue Dolphins

Throughout the novel, Karana wrestles with her people’s traditions in her struggle to survive and decide her own fate. How does Karana defy her people’s expectations and grow into a confident, capable survivor?

Consider the following questions before you respond to the question in bold:

• At the beginning of the story, what beliefs do Karana’s people have about women?
• Why does Karana decide to make weapons, and why is this a difficult decision for her?
• What events from the middle of the novel show that Karana is overcoming obstacles and learning to survive on her own?
• By the end of the story, how does the reader know that Karana will hold onto the lessons she gained on the island even after she leaves?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to trace Karana’s character development over the course of the novel. If your students are ready for terms like “external conflict” and “internal conflict,” you might introduce these terms and ask students to use them in their discussion of Karana’s growth. Students will likely focus on the external conflicts Karana faces, particularly her struggle against the wild dogs. You might ask them to consider Karana’s internal conflicts as well. Some students might also be encouraged to make connections between The Struggle for Survival and Self-Determination and another of the novel’s themes, Learning from Nature or Building Trust and Friendship.