Brian's Hunt

The dog is a type of dark-haired malamute kept by Cree trappers as a companion and to pull sleds when necessary. She is exceptionally tough and calm, demonstrated when she lays calmly while Brian stretches her skin and gives her stitches. The dog is never hostile towards Brian, even when he hurts her with stitches, and she seems to trust that Brian is taking care of her. She also seems to know that she needs medical attention and provision from a human, because she seeks out Brian and relies on his care for healing and food. The dog shows many signs of feeling comfortable around humans, including jumping into Brian’s canoe. Her behavior foreshadows her origins with the Smallhorns and escape from the bear.

Brian quickly develops a bond with the dog and wonders how he lived without a dog for so long. He learns about her by observing her and starts to depend on her reactions to warn him of nearby danger. Brian finds that having the dog fills a need for companionship that he didn’t know he had. Just as Brian develops sensitivity to the dog’s mannerisms and warning signals, the dog develops sensitivity to Brian’s mood. She senses his urgency to move north and sends her own signals of agitation as they draw near to the island where the Smallhorns’ camp is located. Brian’s discovery of the dog serves as the inciting incident for the novel’s conflict. The dog’s presence and unexplained injuries create tension that moves the plot forward as Brian follows his instincts to move north. The dog also shows the bond possible between humans and dogs and highlights the basic human need for companionship.

Dog companions are a genre staple for coming-of-age stories. Dogs have a long history as companions for male protagonists within the genre. Often, they become injured, sick, or die in order to force the protagonist to reckon with mortality as they become an adult. Brian’s malamute dog survives the encounter with the bear, but her injuries allow Brian to mature in other ways. Brian must care for the dog and nurse her back to health, demonstrating an adult-like approach and competency to other living beings.

Kay-gwa-daush, or Susan Smallhorn, is the 16-year-old daughter of David and Anne Smallhorn, the Cree trapper family who Brian found his during first time in the wilderness. The Smallhorns welcomed Brian into their home for three weeks and helped arrange transport for him to return to his family. Although Susan was not present when he stayed with the Smallhorns, Brian saw her picture and learned about her from her family. Susan’s Cree name, Kay-gwa-daush, means the “attempter” (6). Her parents gave her this name because she wasn’t afraid to try anything, similarly to Brian. Susan is a little shorter than Brian, has almond-shaped brown eyes, long black hair and a full mouth. Brian thinks of her often even though they have never met, and he is attracted to her. He hopes to eventually meet her when he stops by her family’s summer camp as he makes his way north.

Although Paulsen does not share much about Susan’s response to her ordeal and the loss of her parents, he suggests that she is strong and resourceful. Because of her upbringing, she is likely similar to Brian in his love for the outdoors and connection to nature. Brian and Susan make plans to meet in the future, which suggests that their relationship is just getting started. Kay-gwa-daush fulfills a typical role in coming-of-age fiction. The coming-of-age male protagonist is often given a love interest for the future, after the events of the novel end. The implied future romance between the two is a hallmark in Brian’s entry into adulthood after he slays the bear.