“That night I climbed onto the rock to sleep. It was flat on top and wide enough for me to stretch out. Also it was so high from the ground that I did
not need to fear the wild dogs while I was sleeping .”O’Dell, 1960:50
Moreover, another animal threat comes from red foxes. These red foxes
usually get their foods by stealing from the people at Galas-at. They tend to steal foods like abalone and fish. That is why these people try to either avoid or hunt
them. However, as people left the island, their population grows bigger and bigger.
Since, these red foxes’ number is so large, Karana feels that it will be difficult to kill them using spear and string. In other words, Karana is not capable
in facing them and finds that these animals can lead her into many troubles. These situations are reflected in the following quotation:
I would soon kill the wild dogs, but there were many small red foxes on the island. They were so numerous that I could never hope to get rid of
them either by traps or with arrows . They were clever thieves and nothing I
stored would be safe until I had built a fence. O’Dell. 1960: 73 The above statement means that red foxes have a nature to steal human’s foods.
Karana who lives alone has to be careful in keeping her foods and staying away out of trouble. She has no one who can protect her. Thus, she has to protect herself
by living in a safe place and building a fence. Furthermore, she also equips herself with some weapons which she made it by her own. She learns to live in
wilderness and face the animal threat with courageousness.
b. Natural Disaster
Disasters commonly occur in the earth. They can be volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunami, and earthquake. The disaster is also portrayed in O’Dell’s Island
of the Blue Dolphins. In fact, it becomes another natural problem faced by Karana
in the Island of the Blue Dolphins. This natural disaster called earthquake happens in the island and leads Karana into several problems. The further explanation can
be seen below.
Slowly the earth began to move. It moved away from my feet and for a moment I seemed to be standing in the air. Water tipped out of the basket
and trickled over my face. Then the basket fell to the ground. Not knowing what I did, thinking foolishly that another wave was upon me, I
began to run. But it was a wave, a wave of earth, and it rippled under me along the cliff.
O’Dell, 1960: 169 The above quotation explains that the earthquake is a kind of natural disaster
which is so scary and occurs unpredicted. The quotation also explains that the earthquake is so big, makes the earth move so sudden and triggers terrible feeling.
This disaster does not only make Karana scared which is proven that she tries to run away from the cave fastly, but also it makes her has to face several
difficulties. It happens as the disa ster makes Karana’s shelter destroyed and
ruined. It destructs her cave and appliances such as plates, water baskets and weapons. These difficulties can be found in the datum below.
The earthquake did little damage. Even the spring, which failed to flow for `several days, started up again and flowed more than ever. But the great
waves had cost me all the food and weapons which were stored in the cave, as well as the canoe I had been working on and those hidden under
the south cliffs.
O’Dell, 1960: 171 In the story, the earthquake as one of natural disasters brings some problems to
Karana. As stated above, it leads the water in the spring cannot flow for several days since it has been blocked by an unknown reason. This spring is very essential
in Karana’s life since it provides her with fresh water. Thus, she has limited water to drink as it is not running well. Moreover, the great waves of the earthquake also
cause some damages, especially to Karana’s belongings such as her beloved
canoe, foods and weapons. Thus, she has to rebuild the canoe which needs to be done for about a year. However, in the end, Karana is able to deal with her
problems, especially the one which is related to disaster.
c. Scarcity
Another problem which is faced by Karana in living in the island is called scarcity. The scarcity refers to the lack of water, foods and trees which make
Karana faces difficulties. The first problem is the lack of water. When Karana who is living alone is sick, she has limited amount of water in her basket. Her
condition does not allow her to move and get the water from the nearest spring. There is no one to help her.
For five suns I could not go out because my leg had swollen so badly and I had no herbs with which to treat it
. I had enough food to eat, but on the third day the water in the basket ran low. Two days later the basket was
empty . It was necessary then for me to go to the spring in the ravine. O’Dell,
1960: 86 Water is a very essential aspect in human life especially Karana who needs water
to drink and to do some other activities such as hunting foods and taking a bath. However, this novel is also portrayed that this essential thing can be so rare in the
Island of the Blue Dolphin. Lack of water also occurs in another island called Santa Catalina. When
people in the Island of the Blue Dolphin plan to move to a new island named Santa Catalina in order to avoid the bad luck and achieve a better life. In the new
island, they have to face another problem. There is only amount of fresh water in this island. Thus, people cannot move there as they cannot fulfill their need for
