Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved

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M & S edition Reprinted 1992
ISBN 0-7710-6663-5

Chapter One--The Lupine Project

1. Using an atlas, calculate the distance by air between Keewatin and Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Some students may wish to use the internet.  The actual distance is approximately 2670 kilometres which is the same distance as from Toronto to Regina.
2. What does the young Farley Mowat use as temporary lodgings for his three captured catfish?

He places them in the bowl of his grandmother's old-fashioned toilet.
3. Explain the difference between an avocation and a vocation.

A vocation is one's work or occupation while an avocation usually refers to a hobby or activity outside the workplace.
4. What was Farley Mowat's new occupation?

He was a biologist.
5. What is scatology?

It is the study of the execretory droppings of animals.
6. Outline the two divergent points of view used to explain the declining deer population.

One point of view placed the blame on marauding wolf packs while yet another view unsuccessfully attributed the decline in the numbers of deer to a burgeoning hunter population.

Arrange an outing to either the zoo or a wilderness park to enable you to see and experience wolves.  Be sure to take notes and photos to allow you to make a presentation to your classmates.

1. Who is telling the story?

Farley Mowat is telling the story in the first person.
2. Why was Mowat surprised to find that his gear contained seven axes?

He was surprised as his destination was a barren treeless area in Northern Canada.
3. Why was the pilot (plane jockey) angry at Farley Mowat?

He was angry because Farley Mowat told him that he really didn't know where he was going and furthermore, he didn't believe Mowat when he told him that he was going to live with the wolves.
4. What is wolf-juice?

The old trapper told Mowat that wolf-juice was a mixture or concoction of Moose Brand Beer and anti-freeze obtained from the Air Base.
5. How is formaldehyde normally used?

It's normally used to preserve animal tissue and is well-known to undertakers.

1. Why did the aircraft refuse to become airborne?

The plane, unbeknownst to the pilot, was overloaded with Moose Brand hidden in the canoe which had been lashed under the aircraft.
2. Why was the pilot forced to land?

He only had enough fuel (petrol) remaining to make the return trip.
3. Why did the pilot give Mowat a "sorrowful" look when he helped the young biologist unload his supplies?

He realized that Mowat had tricked him by hiding the alcohol inside the canoe thus explaining why the takeoff had been so difficult.
4. How did the pilot reassure Mowat that despite not knowing where he was, he would be able to make his way to Churchill?

He told Farley that he would return for him in the fall if his plane was still operational,  otherwise some Eskimos (Inuit) would surely come along and help him back to Churchill.

1. Why was he unable to follow his instructions which called for him to do a general survey of the area by canoe?

The extreme cold had caused ice to form on the water making canoeing impossible.
2. What unfortunate discovery did he make while unpacking his portable radio.

He discovered that it was a model intended for forest rangers and unable to transmit beyond a twenty mile range.
3. Who is the only person he is ever able to speak with on the radio?

He is able to reach an amateur radio operator in Peru, South America who mistakenly believes that he is actually calling from Tierra del Fuego.  He is able to accomplish this through a phenomenon known as "wave skip".
4. How does Farley Mowat hide in an attempt to protect himself from the approaching danger?

Fearing the approach of an enormous pack of wolves, he hides himself under his canvas canoe.
5. What does Farley notice when he peers from his hiding place?

He sees scores of "wolf feet" and eventually notices human feet.  When he finally lifts the canoe, he sees a young man dressed in caribou fur accompanied by fourteen huskies.

1. Who was Mike?

Mike was the young man with the huskies.  He was a trapper of mixed Eskimo (Inuit) and white parentage.  He lived in a cabin a few miles away and according to Farley Mowat was the only human inhabitant in a ten thousand square mile area.
2. Why was Mowat pleased that this area had few human inhabitants?

His study of the wolves would not be adversely affected by human intrusions.
3. What reason did Mike give for his sudden departure?

He explained that he had been urgently called away to visit his sick mother who lived at the Eskimo camp seventy miles away.
4. What puzzles Mowat about Mike's departure?

Mowat is at a loss to explain how Mike could have known that his mother was sick since there was no logical explanation as to how he could have received such a message.
5. What does Farley Mowat see when his head slowly comes over the crest of the ridge?

Much to his surprise he finds himself staring into the amber eyes of a fully grown arctic wolf.

1. What happens when Mowat tries counting sheep to induce sleep.

The sheep keep turning into wolves.
2. What animal does he compare the wolf to when describing its size?

He compares the wolf to a small pony which is an obvious exaggeration.  This type of exaggeration is a distinct part of Mowat's writing style and humour.
3. Explain how the dawning day affects Mowat's confidence?

Farley Mowat gains confidence in proportion to the rising sun.  He even begins to view his flight from the wolves as a missed opportunity rather than a near death experience.
4. How did the government publication ("work") describe the wolf?

Answers will vary.  It described the wolf as the largest of the many subspecies of Canis lupus weighing up to 170 pounds and being almost nine feet in length.  It concluded by saying that the wolf was a savage, powerful killer and one of the most feared and hated animals known to man.
5. What are the two white feather boas?

They turn out to be the tails of two wolves.
6. Why is Mowat elated when he discovers the wolf's den?

As a biologist, he realizes that this will provide a unique opportunity for him to conduct his study of the wolves in their natural habitat.

1. What is Mowat doing when he realizes that he is being observed?

He is going to the bathroom (relieving himself, answering the call of nature--choose your own euphemism) when he suddenly notices the missing wolves about twenty yards behind him.
2. What does the young biologist see on his way to Wolf Bay House?

He sees countless skeins of caribou crisscrossing the hills and muskeg on their annual spring migration.
3. How does he explain the initial absence of any wolves?

He assumes that they are hunting caribou for lunch.
4. Explain what occurs when Mowat spins around to face the adult wolf?

Descriptions will vary.  Mowat loses his footing and slides down the esker past the mouth of the den and completely down the slope, all the time observed by three adult wolves.
5. What important realization does Mowat finally come to at this time?

That wolves are neither the dangerous creatures nor savage beasts portrayed in the centuries old literature.  He reaches this conclusion as the wolves despite frequent opportunities and cause to attack him within the past week, have declined to do so.
6. What important conclusion does he reach at the end of this chapter?

He concludes that he will ignore any preconceived notions of the wolf and will see him only for what he is.  This is an essential aspect of any scientific research.

1. Why did Mowat stay inside the tent for the first few days of his observations?

He wanted the wolves to become accustomed to the tent and treat it simply as though it was just another bump on the terrain.
2. According to the author who were the most bloodthirsty beasts in the Arctic?

According to Mowat, the most bloodthirsty creatures were the insatiable mosquitoes.
3. How do the wolves mark their boundaries?

About once a week the wolves would mark their boundaries by urinating at various spots around the edge of their territory.
4. Explain the significance of the title of this chapter?

In this chapter it refers to both the wolves and Farley Mowat establishing their territorial boundaries by relieving themselves in an area around their "homes".  Staking the land normally refers to establishing boundary rights by hammering wooden or metal stakes into the ground.  This is often done with mining claims or even when a surveyor determines the property lines for someone wishing to build a house.
5. According to Mowat, where had he erred when attempting to establish his boundary rights?

Observing the wolves he noticed that they were more economical than he had been about leaving their mark and consequently could complete a entire circuit without "reloading".

1. How do the foxes inadvertently help the wolves?

The wolves use the former fox dens for their own simply by enlarging them.
2. What did Mowat feel would be the simple solution to his sleep deprivation problem?

He would take short "wolf" naps as did the wolves.  Unfortunately, one of his naps lasted for several hours.
3. What does Mowat find happening to himself despite his best efforts to maintain scientific objectivity?

He finds it impossible to resist the individual personalities of the wolves even to the point of assigning them individual human names.
4. Explain why Mowat felt that George and Angeline made a perfect couple.

They were devoted to one another and never quarrelled. Furthermore, when reunited after even a brief separation, they greeted one another with obvious delight.
5. Describe Uncle Albert's role in the family.

While Mowat was unable to reach a definitive conclusion about his role, Uncle Albert appeared to help nurture and protect the wolf cubs when the mother, Angeline, was either absent or overwhelmed by her litter.

1. What is the main or salient problem concerning the wolves that Mowat has been unable to solve?

He is unable to discover how they "make a living" or in other words eat.
2. According to the Government agencies what was plunging the caribou towards extinction?

According to the government sources of information which included hunters, trappers and traders, the cause of their near extinction was the wolf.
3. Why does Mowat take five loaves of bread to Wolf House Bay and leave them on one of the hunting paths?

He is concerned for their well-being as he believes that the wolves have been unsuccessful in their hunts and that the cubs or pups must soon perish.
4. Describe Angeline's "encounter" with the ducks.

Angeline by acting rather crazy, draws the curious ducks closer and closer until eventually she attempts to pounce on them--missing one duck by mere inches.
5. What does Mowat finally conclude is the wolf's main source of food?

Mowat finally realizes that the wolf is hunting mice to feed to her young cubs.
6. Why is it that Mowat has never seen any food being carried back to the wolf den?

The mice are stored in the adult wolf's stomach and regurgitated when the adult wolf is back at the den feeding her young.
7. Describe the humorous incident involving George.

George sets off a number of mouse traps that have been set by Mowat and is soon streaking back to his den like a frightened dog.

Design your own web site about either this novel or wolves and we will consider linking it to our site.

1. What is the third point that is vital to Mowat's contention that the tiny rodents are the wolf's main source of food?

He must prove scientifically that the diet of mice would sustain the wolves.
2. How does he hope to prove his contention?

He decides to try and survive on a diet of mice himself, believing that if such a diet can sustain him that it should also be of sufficient nutritional value to keep a wolf healthy.
3. How does Mowat counter the bland taste of the food?

He creates a recipe called Souris a La Creme or Creamed Mice.
4. What serious flaw does Mowat realize is rendering his experiment invalid?

The wolves, unlike Farley Mowat, eat the mice whole.  Mowat decides to eat the mice whole too although he does skin them first.
5. Why is Mowat reluctant to eat the fried steak offered to him?

He realizes that he cannot eat the steak offered to him by Mike as he is still conducting the experiment.
6. Who is Ootek?

Ootek is a member of Mike's tribe and a minor shaman or "magic priest".  He is interested in Mowat's work and is very knowledgeable about wolves.

1. What did Mike think of Mowat?

Mike believed that Mowat was not quite right in the head.
2. What did the wolf's diet consist of according to Ootek?

The wolf's diet consisted of mice, ground squirrels, fish and caribou.
3. What instructions did Kaila give to Amorak?

Kaila told Amorak, the spirit of the wolves, to tell her children the wolves that they must hunt the weak caribou so that the land would be left for the healthy ones and that this would in turn keep the caribou strong.
4. According to Mowat, what scientific theory does Ootek's parable illustrate?

According to Farley Mowat, the parable very succinctly explains Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.
5. How are the skeletons near Mike's cabin finally explained?

Mike informs Farley Mowat that it is necessary for him to kill two or three healthy caribou a week to feed his fourteen hungry huskies.
6. Even using very conservative estimates, how many caribou does Mowat suspect are killed annually by trappers?

He concludes that even using conservative estimates at least 112 000 caribou are killed every year by trappers.

1. What was one of the amazing talents that Ootek possessed?

He was able to understand wolf language or talk, hence the title of this chapter.
2. List the various categories of wolf sounds identified by Farley Mowat.

They included: howls, wails, quavers, whines, grunts, growls, yips and barks.  Students may have fun trying to imitate some of these sounds in class.
3. How was Ootek able to determine that the caribou were coming?

He informs Mowat that a wolf living in the next territory has informed "Mowat's wolves" that the caribou have started to move south.
4. Who eventually verifies Ootek's claim about the caribou movement?

Mike verifies Ootek's claim when he returns with venison and caribou tongues informing Mowat that the caribou had been exactly where Ootek had predicted.
5. What other piece of exciting information does Ootek glean from listening to the wolf talk?

While listening to a distant wolf on Five Mile Hills, Ootek becomes very excited as he realizes that Eskimo or Innuit are in the territory.

1. Why did Angeline refuse to accompany George on the hunt?

She had to look after the welfare of her pups.
2. Who eventually arrived to "babysit" the pups?

Angeline's call eventually convinced Uncle Albert to look after the pups while she and George trotted off.
3. What explanation did Ootek give for the wolves moving to a new den?

He told Mowat that there were several reasons.  First the pups had been weaned and so they now had to be closer to a water supply.  Secondly, the pups had grown too large for their den.  Finally, it is time for the pups to learn about the world in a place where they can move around but still be safe.
4. Why according to Ootek were there no such thing as orphans amongst the wolf population?.

There were no orphans because if there were no adult wolves to look after the pups, they were quickly adopted by other wolves and moved to their den.
5. Why did Mowat feel that Ootek's word about wolves should carry as much or more weight than that of a qualified naturalist?

Farley Mowat realized that Ootek had considerable experience living with the wolf and that he was in Mowat's words,". . . spiritually almost a wolf himself".

1. Why was Mowat unhappy with the site of the new den?

The clutter of boulders made it difficult for him to see the wolves and therefore observe their behaviour for his research.
2. How did Uncle Albert rescue Mowat from his boredom?

Uncle Albert fell in love.
3. What proposition did Mowat put to Mike?

He asked Mike if he was willing to have one of his husky dogs breed with a wolf.  He wanted to do this as wolves only had a brief mating season in March and Mowat would be unable to observe their sexual behaviour.
4. Who is Kooa?

Kooa is the husky that Mowat hopes will mate with one of the wolves.
5. Why did Farley Mowat fire a shot into the ground only a short distance from Albert?

Farley Mowat and Ootek wanted to take Kooa back to the cabin but were unable to get near enough to unchain her until they had scared Albert away by firing a shot into the ground nearby.
6. Why did Mike threaten to begin shooting in real earnest?

Mike was been driven crazy by the love calls of Uncle Albert and the responses of not just Kooa but all the dogs.  Mike was convinced that the only way to put a stop to the racket was by shooting Uncle Albert.
7. How did Ootek convince Mike to set Kooa free?

He reassured Mike that even though Kooa would initially go with Albert that once she was no longer in heat she would return under her own volition to the cabin.

1. To what animal does Mowat compare the present size of the wolf cubs?

He compares their present size to that of a groundhog (woodchuck).
2. What caused the pups to scuttle for shelter?

They saw the shadow of a raven flying low over the gully.
3. Describe the morning meat delivery.

Angeline returned to the den where she began to retch until she had regurgitated the contents of her stomach, about ten pounds of meat, in order to feed the pups.  The retching initially causes Mowat to suspect that Angeline may have been poisoned until he realizes the true reason for it.
4. Describe the sounds that caused Angeline to awake with a start thus revealing Mowat's hiding spot.

The sounds that awaken the wolf are caused by Mowat's growling or rumbling stomach.

1. What happened that gave the wolves a brief holiday or respite from hunting?

The wolves had killed a caribou near their home and for several days they no longer needed to travel long distances to obtain food.
2. Explain the practical joke that Angeline played on George.

On several occasions, Mowat observed Angeline hiding from George as he approached the den.  Angeline would then spring out at him just as he went by her hiding place.
3. Who were the visitors from Hidden Valley?

The visitors were two wolves.  Mike informed Mowat that these two wolves were probably Angeline's mother and sister.

1. How had Mowat been guilty of dereliction of duty.

His orders from Ottawa plainly stated that his first job was to conduct a census of the wolves followed by an intensive study of wolf-caribou-predator-prey relationships.  Instead Mowat had been studying the nature and social behaviour of wolves.
2. According to Farley Mowat, what was the built in birth-control mechanism that controlled the wolf population?

According to Mowat if there was an abundance of food the litter would be large while if there was little food the litter might number only one or two pups.
3. What is the overriding factor that prevents the wolf population from becoming too large?

Epidemic disease is the overriding factor which ensures the wolf population will not become too large.
4. According to Mowat what normal protective instinct do the wolves lose if they contract rabies?

They lose the protection that is normally afforded them from a sense of fear.
5. Why is Farley Mowat suspect of the Canadian Lance Corporal's claim that he was attacked by a murderous wolf?

He was able to run a mile unarmed back to his barracks and the man also showed no physical evidence (injury) of his ordeal.

1. Why was Mowat reluctant to retrieve his clothes when he saw the wolves?

He was concerned that by the time he retrieved his clothes, he would have lost track of the wolves.
2. How many caribou had the wolves killed in the space of one hour?

The wolves had been unable to kill any caribou despite the fact that there were approximately four hundred caribou in the vicinity.
3. Who was responsible for stampeding the caribou?

Mowat realized that he was responsible when he "shot" over the crest of a hill, surprising the wolves who in turn caused the caribou to stampede.
4. Why did Mowat flee when he saw the Eskimo woman running after him with her three children accompanying her?

He believed the Eskimos (Inuit) were attacking him when in reality they were attempting to rescue him from the wolves, suspecting that Mowat had gone mad.

1. Why did the wolves quickly give up a chase when they realized they were pursuing a healthy caribou?

The wolves were intelligent enough to know that they couldn't outrun a healthy caribou.  It was only when they realized that they had flushed out a weak or inferior animal that they would take up the hunt in earnest.
2. Describe two techniques employed by the wolves when caribou were hard to find.

In the first technique a group of wolves would corale a small herd of deer into an ambush where the other wolves would wait to pounce on them.  The second technique utilized a relay method whereby one wolf would drive the deer to a second wolf posted some distance away who would then take up the chase.
3. According to Mowat what did the wolf take great care to avoid when actually bringing down a caribou for the kill?

The wolf took great care to avoid the wildly thrashing hoofs as as one kick could mortally wound the wolf.
4. Why were some of the caribou destined to die even if they had not been killed by the wolves.

Upon examination of the dead caribou, Mowat found that many of them were heavily infested with external and internal parasites thus indicating they would have died eventually.

Pretend you are a travel agent and plan an eco adventure in Canada's north.  Design poster to advertise your eco tour.

1. What were the "soot-flecking specks" that hung in the sky above the valley and what did they signify?

The black flecks were flocks of ravens that always accompanied the migrating deer herds.
2. Why did the many herds of caribou begin to change direction and head back north.

The wolves had spread out in a line and were running towards the caribou forcing them to change direction.
3. Why did George suddenly swerve away just as he reached the two fawns?

He appeared to be encouraging the two pups to take over the hunt so that they could develop and refine their hunting skills.
4. What is the significance of the title of this chapter?

The title, School Days, alludes to the fact that the wolf pups are being trained to hunt by the adult wolves.

Write a letter to your own friend about the novel.

1. Explain the device used by Mowat for the vegetation study.

The device was a metal hoop known as Raunkiaer's Circle.  Mowat would fling the hoop as far as possible after which he would count and meticulously record all the various types of plants within the confines of the hoop.
2. Although Ootek was filled with remorse after throwing the hoop, Mowat was quite pleased.  Explain.

Ootek felt badly when the hoop landed in a tundra pond and disappeared.  Mowat on the other hand was relieved that he would no longer have to conduct this laborious and tedious research.
3. Why did Mowat have to soak the scats in two galvanized pails?

Weathering had made the scats as hard as rock.  In order to soften them so that they could be more easily dissected and examined, Mowat soaked them in water.
4. What did Mowat discover when he performed his scatological research?

He discovered that the most common materials in the scats were rodent remains including teeth and fur.  
5. What did he discover in the scats that he was unable to explain?

He discovered a brass button which had been corroded by the animal's digestive juices.  It had an anchor-and-cable motif which Mowat recognized as belonging to the merchant navy services.  Mowat humorously added that it should not be taken as an indication that a wolf had eaten a wandering sailor.
6. Why would the Eskimos have been reluctant to drink Mowat's tea?

He made the tea in the same galvanized pails that he had employed for soaking the scats.

Give a five minute book talk to either your class or another on this novel.

1. What is the ideal size for a pack of wolves when hunting?

The ideal size for a band of wolves is about five to ten individuals.  This number usually ensures a successful hunt and also guarantees that every wolf will get enough to eat from a given kill.
2. Why is winter a perilous time for the Barren Land wolves?

At this time of year the wolves enter forested land where they come under assault from highly skilled trappers and bounty hunters.
3. Why do the trappers despise the wolves?

The trappers hate the wolves because the animals destroy their traps and furthermore many of the trappers have a deadly fear of the wolf.
4. How did the local people at Brochet react when Mowat told them that the wolf had been hunting the caribou for tens of thousand of years without decimating the population?

Some refused to listen to his message while others became infuriated at his statements.
5. Describe the scene where Mowat and his Cree companion discovered the slaughtered caribou.

They found twenty-three caribou carcasses strewn over the snow.  However, they found no wolf tracks, only the criss-crossing tracks of an airplane that had obviously been used to corale the animals before they were shot by hunters.
6. Why did the Cree Indians refuse to report any of these abuses to the authorities?

According to Mowat the natives knew that their word as well as their concerns mattered not to the whitemen.  To use Mowat's words, "He (the Cree Indian) knew enough of the status of the Indian in the whiteman's world to realize he might just as well keep his indignation to himself."

Explain the origin of the expression "never cry wolf" and discuss why Mowat might have chosen it for the title of his novel.  Can you think of a better title?

1. What message does Ootek have for Mowat when he bursts into the cabin.

He tells Mowat that he has spotted an aircraft.
2. Why were the police have difficulty locating Mowat?

They had very little to go on as the pilot who dropped him off had gone missing himself on a flight over the Mackenzie district.  As a result the police had no way of knowing where the pilot had delivered Mowat.
3. What was the rumour circulating in Churchill about Farley Mowat?

The rumour suggested that Mowat was a Secret Service agent who had been sent to spy on the Russians at the pole.
4. What were the four green lights that Mowat saw in the tunnel?

Unbeknownst to Mowat, there were wolves in the den and what he was seeing was the reflection in their eyes.  Upon closer examination he discovers that it is Angeline and one of her pups.
5. According to Farley Mowat, what causes his irrational rage?

Mowat believes that the rage was caused first by his fear and subsequently by his resentment for the wolves who had exposed this flaw or weakness in his fragile human ego.
6. What does the Mowat mean when he states that we have chosen the "alien" world.

Answers will vary but almost certainly Mowat means that we have alienated ourselves from the natural world.  Implicit in this statement is that our "civilized" world has retreated to the point of no return from the natural environment.  There is a tone of futility and hopelessness in this realization.

Prepare 15 to 20 questions for a small test to evaluate other students by determining how well they have understood the novel.

1. What ideas does the epilogue reinforce?

It continues the negative view of man in his relationship with the wolves and nature by portraying him as a callous creature intent not just on controlling the wolf but in exterminating it.

Created by Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO