Island of the Blue Dolphins

by

Scott O’Dell

Karana’s Canoe

Karana’s canoe symbolizes her independence and self-sufficiency. When she first attempts to use a canoe that other members of her tribe made to travel to the mainland, Karana discovers that the canoe is damaged…

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The Cormorant Skirt

The skirt that Karana makes out of cormorant skins represents her comfort with breaking her tribe’s established gender roles. Karana grows up adhering to her tribe’s strict gender expectations, which stipulate that women should gather…

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