I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964
35 pages • 1-hour read
Lauren TarshisI Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964
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Themes
The Survivalist Mindset
In I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964, Tarshis demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of the survivalist mindset. Tarshis presents Jackson’s survival skills, work ethic, and independence as key aspects of this mindset, which he has relied on while living in the bush in Alaska. Jackson’s lifestyle, living in an off-grid cabin with his parents, means that he has an unconventional amount of independence for an 11-year-old.
For instance, he frequently goes out hunting and fishing by himself, relying on his smarts and his backpack of equipment to get him out of trouble. Jackson prides himself on his ability to cope with the dangers and discomforts of off-grid life: “No, living here wasn’t always easy. Their cabin had no electricity or running water; their toilet was a hole in the ground. The forest was filled with grizzlies and wolves. A person had to be tough to live in the bush—Alaska tough” (11). Jackson demonstrates his survivalist mindset when he endures a blizzard by himself in the woods and then finds his way home again. This challenging experience feels like a badge of honor to Jackson, and his parents are proud of his resourcefulness and independence.
While his survivalist mindset has certainly served Jackson in many situations, the author demonstrates that it has its limitations, too. For example, Jackson wants to always be “Alaska tough” and more resilient than the other children. When he is upset at school, he does not accept Miss Lawrence’s help because he considers himself too tough to discuss his anxious feelings with her. The author writes, “She didn’t understand. He wasn’t some spoiled town kid. He’d grown up in the bush” (37). Jackson’s high expectations of himself cause him to push others away emotionally. This limits his friendships to only his parents and Uncle Solly and leaves him feeling lonely and left out. When Jackson looks longingly at his classmates having fun together, he starts to reconsider his commitment to his independence: “Wait…did he want to be part of their pack of kids? No, he thought, pushing the idea away. It was better to be on his own. But then why did he want to rush over to them?” (54). By showing the strengths and weaknesses of Jackson’s survivalist mindset, the author makes him a realistic character as he works through his inner conflicts about his identity and his place in a bigger community.
The Strength of Family Bonds in Times of Crisis
In the novel, Jackson benefits from the emotional and practical support of his parents and Uncle Solly, highlighting how family relationships help people cope in times of crisis. The author portrays the Barrett family as a tight-knit unit that relies on each other and shares every part of their lives while living in the Alaskan wilderness. For instance, at the beginning of the novel, Jackson and his parents are ice fishing together. The author writes, “Jackson stared down into the dark water. ‘I know you’re down there, fish!’ Dad chuckled, and Mom let out one of her famous barking laughs. She sounded like a seal. ‘A very jolly seal,’ Dad always said” (10). Despite not catching anything, they still have a good time and agree to go home and make something else for dinner: “‘How about Moose stew,’ Mom said, ‘Or we could have moose burgers or moose meatloaf…or moose meatballs.’ ‘How about moose chili?’ Jackson asked. ‘Oh, that would hit the spot,’ Dad said. ‘Moose chili it is,’ Mom said” (11). This everyday scene shows how the Barrett family members have a deep bond based on mutual support and enjoying each other’s company.
When a string of crises hits their family, it tests these relationships. For example, when the grizzly bear ransacks their cabin, they watch and wait together, debating the best course of action: “‘Stay close together,’ Mom said now. Dad clutched his rifle… That beast was in their home! ‘We have to stop it!’ Mom cried, lunging forward. ‘Deb!’ Dad barked, grabbing Mom’s arm. ‘You know that’s too dangerous!’” (15). This stressful incident does not fracture the family, however, and the author underscores that their relationships are only strengthened by going through it together. The family relies on their motto “Get to work” to motivate themselves to be productive and work together through the crisis: “Get to work. That was a Barrett family saying, almost like a prayer. It was what they said when something bad happened when all you wanted to do was curl into a ball and give up” (19). Even young Jackson agrees with his parents and makes his contributions to the family: “Jackson took a big breath and stood taller. ‘Okay,’ he said to Mom. ‘Let’s get to work’” (21). With their shared goals and supportive relationships, the Barretts manage to keep their family bond strong and overcome great challenges together.
Individualism Versus Community
Jackson’s experiences in the great earthquake transform him from being a fiercely independent boy to someone who values relationships. At the beginning of the story, Tarshis portrays Jackson as a highly independent person. Growing up deep in the woods, miles from civilization, Jackson’s only companions are his parents and his friend, Uncle Solly. Being an only child in such a remote homestead has greatly influenced Jackson’s personality; he is comfortable with solitude and prides himself on being able to solve problems by himself. For instance, Jackson knows how to hunt for moose and rabbits, go ice fishing, and make shelters. Jackson’s parents encourage this mindset as they express their pride in him being able to do such demanding tasks on his own.
In the wild, Jackson observes how animals benefit from community. He regales his classmates with his story of witnessing a wolf pack fight off a grizzly bear, and emphasizes how it was their coordinated effort that led to their triumph:
‘Grizzlies are way bigger and stronger than wolves,’ Jackson pointed out. ‘One swipe of a grizzly’s paw can crack a skull, or slice open a wolf’s belly…But here’s the thing,’ Jackson said, lowering his voice. It surprised him that the kids were so interested. ‘Wolves don’t fight alone. They fight as a pack. They stick together’ (41).
While Jackson understands the power of community in nature, he feels adamant that he can thrive on his own without any close friends. When faced with going to school for the first time, Jackson insists that he does not need peers his age to play with: “Jackson didn’t need friends, thank you. He’d always gotten by on his own” (29). He does not learn how this lesson applies to his own life until he lives through the earthquake. Receiving the help of Leonor, Chris, Mary, and Nora is a humbling experience for Jackson, as he realizes that he did need their help. After this experience, he admits to himself that he couldn’t face the problem all on his own: “Even tough people needed a friend to carry them when they were too hurt to walk on their own” (71). Jackson’s new attitude to friendship and community completes his transformation from being an individualistic “grizzly” to being a relationship-minded “wolf.”
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