Island of the Blue Dolphins Questions and Answers
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What are three main events in Island of the Blue Dolphins and their significance?
Three main events in Scott O’Dell’s novel Island of the Blue Dolphins include a battle that takes the lives of many members of Karana’s island tribe; the tribe's departure, which leaves behind Karana...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Character analysis of Karana in Island of the Blue Dolphins
Karana, the protagonist of Island of the Blue Dolphins, is a resourceful and resilient young girl. She demonstrates courage and ingenuity as she survives alone on an island after her tribe leaves....
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What are some causes and effects in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In Island of the Blue Dolphins, several causes and effects drive the plot. For instance, the Aleuts’ attempt to cheat the islanders leads to a battle, killing most men and forcing women to take over...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What types of figurative language are used in "Island of the Blue Dolphins"?
In "Island of the Blue Dolphins," predominant figurative language includes Karana's use of metaphor and personification. She frequently uses metaphors to describe her surroundings and personifies...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In Island of the Blue Dolphins, why did Karana decide to leave the island?
Karana no longer likes living in the village, because it haunts her with the memories of her loved ones and the terrible events that led to her isolation.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Why does Karana decide not to shoot the wounded dog in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In the novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, the main protagonist, Karana, is also the narrator of the story, as the story is written from her perspective. Karana is trying to kill the wild dogs that...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In "Island of the Blue Dolphins", what proof does Karana provide to consider her sister, Ulape, as vain?
In Chapter 4, as Captain Orlov is opening up the black chest, Karana tells us that Ulape "drew in her breath in excitement" to see the sparkly necklaces. This is the first clue we get about Ulape's...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
The significance and consequences of Chief Chowig revealing his secret name to Captain Orlov in "Island of the Blue...
In "Island of the Blue Dolphins," Chief Chowig revealing his secret name to Captain Orlov signifies a deep trust or a critical mistake, as names hold power and personal significance in his culture....
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Conflicts and Resolutions in Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell centers on Karana, a young girl surviving alone on an island after her tribe is decimated by Aleuts and later forced to leave by white men. The main...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How has Karana's attitude toward the island changed upon her return?
Karana originally leaves the island with her people, sailing aboard a ship belonging to white missionaries. Her brother Ramo is meant to come along on the voyage too, but he gets left behind....
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What are the weapons made of in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In Ch. 9, we see that Karana begins to make weapons because Ramo has been killed and she needs to be able to defend herself from the wild dogs on the island. She gathers enough wood on the beach to...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What is Ramo's fate in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In chapter 8 of Island of the Blue Dolphins, Ramo is killed by a pack of wild dogs as he goes to retrieve one of the canoes.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In Island of the Blue Dolphins, chapter 9, why did Karana burn the village?
There are presumably a number of reasons Karana decides to burn the village without salvaging anything. First, all her fellow villagers have already left the island. Karana is the only inhabitant...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Karana's struggles with eating and sleeping on the island in "Island of the Blue Dolphins."
Karana struggles with eating and sleeping on the island due to the constant threat of wild dogs and the scarcity of food. She often has to hunt and gather food, which is challenging and...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Why did Karana decide not to build her house near the sea elephants in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Karana does not build her house near the sea elephants because they are extremely noisy. The thing that made me decide on the place to build my house was the sea elephants. (p. 69) The cows are...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How does Karana's attitude towards the dogs change in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Initially, Karana is very hostile towards the dogs in Island of the Blue Dolphins, and she vows to kill them all. This is out of a desire for vengeance after they killed her brother Ramo. But over...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Why does Karana tell Rontu they will never go to the "black cave" again?
Karana first sees Black Cave when she goes off to explore the island. She has prepared herself to survive on the island for some time, and secured her food supply. This gives her the freedom to see...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What did Karana use to cook seeds in "Island of the Blue Dolphins"?
Fod cooking seeds, Karana "wove a tight basket of fine reeds...dried (it) in the sun...gathered lumps of pitch...softened them over the fire, and rubbed them on the inside of the basket so that it...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Karana's Journey and Growth in Island of the Blue Dolphins
In Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins, Karana undergoes significant growth and transformation. Initially part of a tribe, she becomes marooned on an island after her brother Ramo is left...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What actions did Karana take towards the birds in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In Chapter 18, Karana comes across a pair of birds who give birth to babies. Karana puts them in a birdcage so that they can stay with her. The birds eventually outgrow the cage, so Karana clips...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Why is Island of the Blue Dolphins written from Karana's point of view?
The author chose a first-person point of view for Karana so that the reader would have a more intimate relationship with her.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What is the name of Karana's father in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In this book, Karana's father is the chief of the island. At the beginning of the book, the Aleuts and their Russian captain come to hunt for sea otters on the island. When they get there,...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In chapter 4 of Island of the Blue Dolphins, what statement from Karana weakened her father?
In chapter four, the characters in Island of the Blue Dolphins determine that Karna’s father was weakened enough to be killed by the Aleuts because he had given the captain his real, true, and...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How did Karana injure her leg in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In this book, Karana hurts her leg in the time after she has already been left on the island all alone. You can find this right at the end of Chapter 13. She ends up hurting her leg when she...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What evidence shows that Karana took pride in her appearance despite being alone?
Even though she lives alone on the island, Karana takes great pride in her appearance. In chapter 18, we are told that Karana takes time to make a yucca skirt for herself even as she spends time...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How does the girl in the "Island of the Blue Dolphins" use stars for ocean navigation?
When Karana leaves the island, her goal is to find a country to the east. She packs some supplies in a canoe and begins her journey on the ocean. To be successful, she must know what direction she...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
What is the eye color of the wild dogs' leader in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In Island of the Blue Dolphins, the leader of the wild dogs has yellow eyes, unlike the brown eyes of all the other dogs.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Choose an example from Island of the Blue Dolphins that shows the tribe's superstitions.
A great example of the superstitious nature of Karana's people happens in the first chapter of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. Karana's father is the chief of their tribe, and he is...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Why does Karana need to make weapons in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Karana needs to make herself weapons to protect herself from the dogs and to kill them to avenge her brother's death. Karana finds a rock where she can store food until the ship comes in. She...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
How does Rontu alter Karana's life in Island of the Blue Dolphins?
In this book, Rontu changes Karana’s life mainly by making her much less lonely than she had been before she got him. By the time that Karana gets Rontu, she has been alone for months. The...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In Chapter 1 of Island of the Blue Dolphins, why did Karana continue digging instead of going to the village?
Karana actually keeps digging twice even though she sees the Aleut ship. Karana and Rano have been sent to go dig roots. It is not easy work and so she wants to be sure she has his help. So,...