Julie of the Wolves | Themes

Julie of the Wolves Themes

Language/Communication

The question of language is central to Julie and the Wolves. The author chooses to open the book with Julie attempting to interpret, understand and imitate the language of the wolves. While this language is primarily one of gesture, it also includes vocalizations like the growl and the grunt-whine which will be crucial to her acceptance by the pack. It is worth noting that Julie does not question whether the wolves have a language. She already has experience with animal communication, having lured many an Arctic ground squirrel to her hand by imitating with a finger the sideways tail-jerk indicating friendly intentions. She realizes that the wolves have a more complex society and therefore a more complex language. Her ability to recognize patterns is of great help here. "She had seen the wolves mouth Amaroq's chin twice before and so she concluded that it was a ceremony, a sort of...
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