Lit 10 3/26/18

John Muir (1838 - 1914) & About the Selection

• John was born in Scotland, but immigrated to the United States (a farm in Wisconsin).
• He was an inventor, but due to an eye injury, he changed careers.
• He was a well-known naturalist.
• He urged the government to establish national parks -- partly due to his efforts, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks were established in 1890.
• In 1892, Muir and others founded the Sierra Club, an organization whose goals was the presevation and exploration of the American wilderness.
• He exerted a positive effect on America's attitude toward its natural resources and its natural beauty.
• In this selection, Muir is one his second expedition to Alaska and explores Brady Glacier, which empties in Taylor Bay.

Brief Summary w/ Key Q's

• First of all, who or what is Stickeen?

• Part I: This portion of the piece introduces to us the dog Stickeen, who was brought onto Muir's expedition by Rev. Samuel Hall Young. Muir's first impression of S.H. Young's dog is that Stickeen appears small and worthless. He suspects the dog does not have the endurance needed for such an rigorous excursion and will be an extra burden on the trip.
• We learn that Stickeen gets his name from the Stickeen Indians, a tribe of Indians at their settlement, who treat the dog as a beloved mascot. Stickeen, while seemingly appears sluggish and unaware of his surroundings, is actually very keen of what is happening around him. We read that when they venture out on excursions, Stickeen consistently delays his returns to the canoe. Only after the men set off to return to the boat does the dog then paddle after them until they lift him onboard.
• Stickeen is a dog that is eager to be apart of any adventure, especially if he can share it with Muir--whom he has grown attached to.
• Things to note about Stickeen:
• He endures suffering without complaint and does not require tender care or help
• He responds neither to attempts to train him nor to friendly overtures; he seems to have no interest in human interaction and affection as most dogs do.
• Part I leaves off with Muir wanting to witness an upcoming storm, so he skips breakfast and hurries away.

Brief Summary w/ Key Q's

• Part II: This section begins with Muir preparing to go off and see the storm himself, but Stickeen wants to join him. Muir cannot imagine why Stickeen wants to follow since Muir's human reasons for braving the storm cannot possibly apply to the dog.
• Note that Muir's poetic description of the storm actually tells us a bit about Muir himself. Muir regards the storm as nature's unique music. It is obvious he takes great pleasure in viewing it, ad regards it with awe as well. This is indicated by his careful and eloquent description, as well as his exclamation, "What a psalm the storm was singing, and how fresh the small of the washed earth and leaves, and how sweet the still small voices of the storm!"
• Muir gives into Stickeen because he sees that all attempts to dissuade the dog from accompanying him would be futile. Muir initially wants to explore the glacier, but the strength of the wind makes it too risky; so instead he from the relative safety of the grove. However, he eventually wanders on the glacier, but close to land, and watches the weather carefully. He does find the ice relatively safe and the weather taking a turn for the better, so he tries to cross the glacier after all. Muir uses his compass and the structure lines of the glacier to keep his bearings.
• Key Q p. 342: What different attitudes to Muir and Stickeen exhibit towards the dangerous glacier?

• Muir proceeds with extreme caution and Stickeen seems heedless of danger.

Brief Summary w/ Key Q's

• Part II continued: Muir eventually decide to call a halt to the excursion because it was getting late and the weather was getting worse again.
• Key Q p. 344: What does Muir judge to be the worst case scenario?

• Muir reasons that he could spend the night on a flat area on the glacier, keeping in constant motion to avoid freezing to death.

• Part II continued: Muir thinks of his options in getting off the glacier and jumping off of one portion was an option, but the jump would push the upper limits of his skill, and he questions his abilities to judge the width of the gap with complete accuracy.
• Muir then entertains the idea of returning to the woods on the west side of the glacier, where he could build a fire and wait until morning to cross the glacier and return to camp. He dismisses the idea for several reasons. First, the ice he has crossed until now has been so challenging, he is unsure if he could retrace his steps before nightfall. Second, the ice up ahead (instead of going west) seems safer. Third, he has come so far, he is roughly misway between the two sides, and might as well attempt to gain the east side rather than the west.
• Muir attemps the jump, and finds that it was a mistake, seeing that it leaves him on a two mile wide strip (an island of ice, sliver as they will refer to it) with no safe way to escape.

Brief Summary w/ Key Q's

• Part III: The last section left on a cliffhanger. Muir must get off of the sliver of ice quickly, seeing that exposure to the elements over time whittles away at the sliver, until the once flat level surface will become thin and curve downward.
• Muir at this point must corss a sharp curving sliver of ice. The challenge is made even more formidable by the stormy weather, and swindling light, and the fact that Muir is wet and hungry. Muir described the worst part of the ordeal is after straddling the sliver and inching across, the most terrifying part is standing up and cutting steps into the nearly vertical wall of ice.
• Muir sees that Stickeen, who up to this point seemed oblivious to the icy world around him, displays fear and consternation as Muir attempts this extremely dangerous maneuver. Stickeen actually refuses to cross the chasm. Muir shouts words of encouragement, without avail. He then threatens to to leave him and come back for him in the morning, and this is when Stickeen crosses.
• Muir moves carefully and steadily while Stickeen inches along at first, and then tackles the climbing part in one desperate rush. Once they get off the glacier, weakness and fatigue overwhelm them (they probably had an adrenaline rush before). However, neither sleeps well because they are both tramatized.

Brief Summary w/ Key Q's

• Part III continued: After this expereince, Stickeen now follows Muir with doglike devotion.
• Key Q p. 353: What has Muir gained from his friendship with Stickeen?

• Muir explains that since the expereince on the glacier, with Stickeen, he has greater sympathy for all fellow mortals.

Individual Work

• Do Journal Workshop on p. 354

Homework for Monday

• Continue reading The Giver