Julie Of The Wolves

Miyax spends time in two distinct environments, in the city and in the wilderness. What effect do these different environments have on her character? How does she transform as she moves from one setting to another? How does she stay the same?

Compare and contrast Miyax’s relationship with her family and her relationship with the wolf pack. 

Miyax takes pride in her native culture and name, and she rejects her Americanized name, Julie. Given that, why do you think the novel is titled Julie of the Wolves? What does this choice say about the novel as a whole, and which of the novel’s themes does the title connect to?

Miyax frequently sings songs that reflect on the Arctic landscape, the animals she meets, and her struggles. What is the role of these songs in the novel? Do they exemplify the novel’s key themes, provide a sense of contrast, or something else?

Choose one of the minor characters in the book, such as Pearl, Naka, Nusan, or Aunt Martha. Describe their perspectives on life in Alaska. How do those perspectives compare to Miyax’s? How are they similar? How are they different?

The Alaskan wilderness, both harsh and beautiful, is a powerful force in the novel. How does the landscape impact Miyax’s thoughts, feelings, and actions in different ways at different times?

Julie of the Wolves is structured with a middle section composed of flashbacks to earlier times in Miyax’s life. This section comes between the first and last sections, which both take place in the present. What is the effect of this structure? Why did George set up the novel in this way instead of using a chronological structure?

George ends the novel with a surprising, cliffhanger ending, with the line “Julie pointed her boots toward Kapugen” (170). What do you think will happen next? Where will Miyax go, and why?