The Ice Wolf, A Tale of the Eskimos [drama review]

• Main Author: Christensen, Nathan;
• Other Authors: Kraus, Joanna Halpert;
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Play review; Plays; Drama > Reviews; Young adult drama; Christensen; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/CBPR/id/977

Kraus, Joanna Halpert. The Ice Wolf, A Tale of the Eskimos. 25 pp. A- 6+ With a storyteller acting as narrator, The Ice Wolf tells the legend of an Eskimo girl, Anatou, who is mysteriously born with blond hair and fair skin. Although her parents love her, the other villagers believe that she will bring bad luck. Any time misfortune strikes, Anatou is held to be the cause, and when her parents disappear during a hunting trip, Anatou is driven from the village. Afraid and angry, Anatou wanders the forest, which is guarded by the mysterious Wood God. She begs the Wood God to change her into a wolf so she can forget that she looks different than everyone else. After becoming a wolf, however, she begins to seek revenge, killing several hunters from her old home. Anatou realizes too late that she has become consumed by her anger. After stopping to free an old friend who has become stuck under a fallen tree, Anatau is found by the hunters and shot. As she dies, her body changes back into its original form, and the villagers realize how cruel they have been. Anatou, now a spirit, gives up her anger and forgives the villagers. Although the stage directions indicate elaborate scenic units, the storytelling format of the play allows it to be performed simply to great effect. Sufficient research could also enable this play to expose the audience to the culture and mythologies of early Northern peoples. Much of the dialogue feels slightly stilted, as if it had been translated from another language, and reminds viewers that they are watching something drawn from another culture. The themes of bigotry, anger, and forgiveness are pertinent. The Ice Wolf has a cast of fifteen characters. This play is found in: Swortzell, Lowell. Around the World in 21 Plays. Applause, 1997. ISBN 1-55783-370-2. $22.95. 690 pp. A Reviewed by Nathan F. Christensen Children's Book and Play Review, January / February 2002