Characters
Who is the main character of Island of the Blue Dolphins?
Who is Karana
What happens in the very first chapter?
The Aleut ship arrives.
What theme is shown when Karana decides to care for herself alone on the island?
Hint: Think about how she has to do everything by herself to stay alive.
Survival and independence.
What is the name of Karana’s island?
The Island of the Blue Dolphins
“The ship is good and will come again.”
Ramo.
Who is Karana’s younger brother?
Who is Ramo
What causes the fight between the tribe and the Aleuts?
The Aleuts tried to leave without paying fairly.
What theme is shown when Karana goes back for Ramo instead of staying safe on the ship?
Hint: She didn’t want to leave someone she loved behind.
Family loyalty and love.
Why did the Aleuts come to the island?
To hunt sea otters.
“A good day for hunting.”
An Aleut hunter.
Who is the chief of the tribe when Karana is left behind on the island?
Who is Chief Kimki.
What happens after Chief Chowig dies?
Kimki becomes chief and later leaves to find a new place to live.
What theme is shown when Karana watches the Aleuts from a hiding place instead of confronting them?
Hint: She’s being careful and thinking ahead, even if she’s curious.
Caution and wisdom.
What happened to Chief Chowig during the fight with the Aleuts?
He was killed.
“We must be ready when the ship comes.”
Chief Kimki.
What is the name of the tribe Karana belongs to?
The people of Ghalas-at.
What does Karana see that makes her realize she’s truly alone?
The ship leaves and Ramo is killed by wild dogs.
What does Karana building a home and storing food show about her?
Hint: She’s making smart choices to live well on her own.
She is learning how to adapt and survive.
What does Karana do when she sees the ship leaving without Ramo?
She jumps into the sea and swims back to the island.
“I do not know how long I had been on the island alone.”
Karana
Who becomes the new chief after Chief Chowig dies?
Kimki.
What does Karana do by the end of Chapter 17 to protect herself?
She builds a shelter and starts making weapons.
What does Karana’s decision to make weapons show about her growth? Hint: She breaks a big rule from her tribe, but it helps her stay strong.
She is becoming brave and breaking old rules to survive.
What rule does Karana break when she makes weapons?
Women in her tribe are not allowed to make weapons.
“The wild dogs had killed my brother.”
Karana.