Julie of the Wolves

by Jean George

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What is the impact on the wolf pack when Miyax is accepted in Julie of the Wolves?

Quick answer:

When Miyax is accepted by the wolf pack, led by Amaroq, it signifies a break from typical wolf behavior, causing varied reactions within the pack. The pups already accepted her, but her acceptance by Amaroq leads the rest of the pack, except Jello, to warm up to her. Jello, an outsider, resists accepting Miyax, only complying under pressure from the pup Kapu. This dynamic highlights both acceptance and tension within the pack.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

It's first important to mention the exact moment that Miyax is accepted into the tribe:  when she pats the leader, Amaroq, under the chin because "as his eyes softened, ... Miyax was one of the pack."  The key to this answer is actually found within something Miyax says after she is accepted by Amaroq:

Wolves are shy, Kapugen had said, and they desert their dens if discovered by man; yet this pack had not.  Did Amaroq not know she was human?  Perhaps not; she had never walked in his presence, the two-legged signal of "man" to wild animals. ... She concluded that Amaroq tolerated her because she was young, had no gun, and was sad--a lost child.

In short, Amaroq is the leader of the pack, but it is obvious here that Amaroq is not following normal "wolfish" behavior.  This is bound to cause issues and different opinions among the pack.  This is certainly the case. It should be noted, however, that the impact on the pups is non-existent.  Why?  They accepted Miyax even before she was accepted by Amaroq.  They were already playing/roughhousing with Miyax before she patted Amaroq under the chin.

Another key is that "in order to be fed by wolves one had to be helpless."  Once Amaroq gave Miyax the soft-eyed symbol of acceptance, the entire pack warmed up to her easily.  Even Nails and Silver think nothing of Miyax joining them in their den. The pack has accepted her!  Well, almost the entire pack, that is.

Acceptance isn't so easy for the outsider named Jello, but he is happy when Miyax shows more submission than he who enjoys "acting like the boss" even though he most certainly is not.  When Miyax tries to assert her own authority, Jello refuses to regurgitate and feed her.  It is the pup, Kapu, who gets Jello to do this.  This episode then is the perfect example of rejection (by Jello) and acceptance (by Kapu).  And Jello will continue to reject Miyax until the bitter end.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial