I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964

In the novel, the grizzly bear represents self-sufficiency and independence. Facing starvation, grizzlies use their toughness and smarts to provide for themselves. When Jackson sees a grizzly bear raiding his family’s cabin, he knows that the bear has to ransack their food to survive. As a starving “winter bear” that has emerged from hibernation early, the grizzly only has its strength and tenacity to rely on for survival. Because of Jackson’s upbringing in the wilderness, he feels a kinship to the bear since, like the grizzly, Jackson has also had to be tough and rely on his skills to survive. His admiration for the grizzly adds to the novel’s theme of The Survivalist Mindset, as Jackson prides himself on his resilience and independence.

At the end of the story, Jackson encounters the same bear again in the summertime by the river and is glad to see that it has recovered from the harsh winter: “Jackson barely noticed the tears rolling down his cheeks. That bear had been through so much. But here it was, strong and healthy. Just like Jackson” (69). Jackson’s sympathy for the bear despite its destruction of his home adds to the author’s

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