Setting
In the heart of a tranquil lake nestled within the rustic beauty of northern Wisconsin, an island stands as a formidable presence. It emerges as a key figure in the tale: "Wil Neuton discovered the island, or was discovered by it—he was never sure which."
The Birth of the Island
The prologue unfolds the island's ancient genesis. Through the sweeping canvas of geological ages, it narrates how the relentless force of a glacier carved a lake, yet left behind a U-shaped mound of earth and stone, almost perfectly centered. Perched at the brink of expansive northern forests, this serene body of water remains untouched by the trappings of modern life. Tourists bypass this hidden gem, labeled only after the unremarkable sucker fish and absent from local maps.
The Untamed Beauty
The sparse layer of topsoil on the island nourishes a patchwork of scraggly trees and patches of timothy grass. Its protective arms of land stretch out to form a natural bay, embracing a sandy shore on one side and a rocky jetty on the other. For centuries, herons, loons, and turtles have called this place their home, living in harmony with the island's timeless aura. It stands in quiet anticipation, awaiting a soul capable of unlocking its age-old secrets about life's eternal cycle. The island is a sage, poised to impart its wisdom to a worthy pupil.
Literary Qualities
Rich Characterization of Wil Neuton
The crowning achievement of The Island lies in its evocative portrayal of Wil Neuton. The narrative unfolds in a looping fashion, continually drawing the reader back to a more profound understanding of Wil's journey. At pivotal moments, the story's rhythm decelerates, allowing Wil's psychological evolution to take center stage.
Exploring Wil's Interior Life
Three narrative techniques illuminate Wil's inner world. Initially, Paulsen employs a narrative style that captures both Wil's spoken words and his silent musings. Through indirect discourse, the narrator reveals how Wil's thoughts often diverge from his spoken expressions. In numerous scenes, there is a delightful contrast between Wil's mundane dialogues and the sharp wit that sparkles in his mind. While his family and friends frequently remain oblivious to Wil's feelings, the reader is granted intimate access.
Additionally, each chapter is prefaced with an epigraph, typically ranging from one hundred to two hundred words, penned by Wil himself. Unlike the traditional excerpts from renowned authors, these entries seem to emerge from a personal diary or journal. The epigraphs delve into the musings of a perceptive adolescent grappling with life's quandaries: the ubiquity of blame, the moral ambiguity of lying, the worth of monetary wealth, and the significance of making mistakes.
The final narrative tool involves the sporadic insertion of Wil's essays and paintings into the text. These creative endeavors serve as windows into Wil's evolving thoughts about the people of Pinewood and the island's creatures. Much like soliloquies in a play, these essays offer a glimpse into Wil's impressions as they form, rather than as polished conclusions. His sentiments and viewpoints often ebb and flow as he contemplates new insights and perspectives.
For Further Reference
Brown, Muriel W. and Rita Schoch Foudray. "Gary Paulsen." In Newbery and Caldecott Medalists and Honor Book Winners. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1992: 324-326. This entry highlights the accolades received by Paulsen, provides a comprehensive bibliography, and suggests additional reading materials about the author up until 1991.
Coil, Marianne. Interview. Standing Room Only. National Public Radio. WFYI, Indianapolis. April 7, 1994. In this engaging interview, Coil delves into Paulsen's captivating novel, Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod, exploring the author's fascination with the iconic race, and even touching on some of his personal anecdotes.
Commire, Anne, ed. "Gary Paulsen." In Something About the Author. Vol. 54. Detroit: Gale Research, 1989: 76-82. A treasure trove of personal insights into Paulsen's life, this entry draws heavily from a revealing interview by Marguerite Feitlowitz for the Gale series Authors and Artists for Young Adults. It also chronicles Paulsen's professional journey and a thorough list of his writings up to 1987.
Devereaux, Elizabeth. "Gary Paulsen." Publisher's Weekly (March 28, 1994): 70. Devereaux's illuminating interview with Paulsen unveils the pivotal turn in his career in 1983, details his remarkable output since 1985, and discusses his latest literary endeavors, interspersed with familiar background stories about him.
"Gary Paulsen." In Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 2. Agnes Garrett and Helga P. McCure, eds. Detroit: Gale Research, 1989: 165-173. This reference piece catalogues Paulsen’s works up to 1988, enriched with biographical context from three distinct sources: Marguerite Feitlowitz's insightful interview for this series, Maryann N. Weidt's poignant article in Voice of Youth Advocates, "Gary Paulsen: A Sentry for Peace," and Franz Serdahely's feature in Writer's Digest, "Prolific Paulsen."
"Gary Paulsen." In Children's Literature Review. Vol. 19. Gerard Senick and Sharon R. Gunton, eds. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990: 167-178. Kicking off with an overview of Paulsen’s contributions up to 1985, this essay weaves in author commentary from Maryann N. Weidt's Voice of Youth Advocates piece, "Gary Paulsen: A Sentry for Peace." It also features critiques on various children's works by Paulsen up to 1988.
Behind the Dedication
McCormick, E. "Author Dedicates Latest Book to High School Librarian." American Libraries (May 1988): 338. McCormick sheds light on the heartfelt connection between Paulsen and Mike Printz, a dedicated librarian from Topeka, Kansas, to whom Paulsen dedicated his book, The Island.
Reflections on a Prolific Career
Serdahely, Franz. "Prolific Paulsen." Writer's Digest (January 1980): 20-21. Though penned years ago, this article still holds invaluable insights into Paulsen's formative years as a writer, his disciplined approach to writing, and his wise advice for aspiring authors.
In the Author's Footsteps
Trumpet Video Visits Gary Paulsen. Directed by Diane Kolyer. Trumpet Club, 1993. 24 minutes. This engaging video aims to captivate young audiences with glimpses of the author and his books. Paulsen shares brief insights on works like Canyons, The Cookcamp, Hatchet, The Monument, The River, and The Winter Room, with the true gem being the peek into his creative process.
Lessons from Lean Years
Weidt, Maryann N. "The Fortunes of Poverty." Writer's Digest (January 1992): 8. Weidt crafts a motivational piece for writers navigating hardships, drawing inspiration from Paulsen's own stories of perseverance during the challenging periods of his writing career.
