Never Cry Wolf Analysis

In the intriguing story of “Never Cry Wolf,” Farley Mowat shares his experience studying Arctic wolves and caribou on an investigation in the Barren Lands of central Keewatin. What I presumed to be a dull memoir on wolves, turned out to be an emotional and nearly humorous text about a naturalist becoming fond of Arctic wolves. Mowat has an elaborate use of diction as well as syntax, imagery, pathos and anthropomorphism.
From a personal experience, I find it hard reading out of my comfort zone and struggle to recall the events taking place in a story. However, Mowat kept me engaged with a profound use of imagery. In a nature book such as itself, it is essential to provide vivid imagery and specific details. Mowat shows this practice numerous times throughout the novel, placing the reader into the Barren Lands of central Keewatin. As I read throughout the novel, I began to wonder to myself, “What would I do?” and “How would I react?” This is the effect Mowat’s descriptive words have on his reader’s mind. In the beginning of Mowat’s journey, he is dropped in seemly the middle of nowhere, and observes his surroundings. “As I looked about me at the stark and cloud-topped hills, the
aste of pressure-rippled ice, and, beyond the valley, to the desolate and treeless roll of tundra, I had no doubt that this was excellent wolf country.” From this description the reader can picture the icy tundra and hills high in the