People of the Whale Essay Questions

How is Thomas impacted by his experiences in Vietnam?

Thomas' war experiences have a profoundly traumatic impact on him. He is extremely disturbed by the actions of the soldiers around him, as they desecrate the bodies of dead Vietnamese people. Later, to stop them from massacring a village of women and children, he kills the other members of his platoon. This leaves him with feelings of guilt and shame, as he feels he betrayed his country. He is also scarred by the memory of having to leave his daughter Lin behind when he is brought back to America by military officers. When he comes back to Dark River, he is unable to stave off disturbing memories as they occur to him constantly. The war leaves Thomas with an immense amount of lingering pain, as he wrestles with feelings of guilt, anger, and fear that stay with him every day.

How does nature retaliate against the tribe after the whale hunt?

Nature retaliates against the tribe with a massive drought. The drought comes immediately after the whale hunt and Marco's death. It disrupts the local fishing industry and creates fear about the possibility of a tsunami, which had occurred after a previous period of intense heat. Ruth and the elders view this as a clear response to Dwight's callous and cruel actions. The situation is only brought back into equilibrium when Ruth makes an offering to the Rain Priest, making it clear that, in the world of the novel, nature demands tribute.

Why does Thomas react coldly to his children when he meets them?

Thomas struggles to connect to both of his children as adults. When Thomas meets Marco he gives him a cold reception, as he believes that he is the byproduct of an affair that Ruth supposedly had, as Dwight had told him. He is initially unable to speak to his daughter, Lin, because seeing her with a red fish brings back a flood of his terrible memories from Vietnam. While he has an adverse reaction to them for different reasons, both moments ultimately relate to his experience of the war, as he has been away from them for so long and has no way to make sense of his painful memories. In both cases, it is easier simply to suppress his feelings and not acknowledge the time he has lost with Lin and Marco as a result of the war.

What does Ruth do to hold the family together?

Ruth is the only character who continues to care for Thomas when he returns from Vietnam. She brings him food and checks in on him while he lives in isolation at Witka's house. She also takes in Lin and introduces her to Thomas, extending kindness to her as if she were her own daughter. Finally, she tries to do what is in the best interest of the tribe by discouraging the whale hunt and offering tribute to the Rain Priest during the drought. Ruth has a broad view of family that goes beyond just her blood relations. As such, she offers generosity to so many of the people around her, as she believes in a deeper connection between people.

Describe the tone and narrative voice of the novel.

The tone of the novel is mystical and ruminative. The narrator alternates between considering the interior lives of the main characters and reflecting on the history of the fictional A'atsika tribe. In this way, the voice is able to describe the events that have had a specific impact on Thomas, Ruth, and Lin while also giving more summary explanations of major historical events in the Pacific Northwest and Vietnam. This also makes room for some of the more supernatural moments in the book, as the voice takes these events as seriously as it does the more ordinary ones.