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The following is a discussion question from the publisher for the January 2015 book of the month, "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey. Please do not read this topic until you have finished the book because this topic may contain spoilers.

In what ways does Faina represent the Alaska wilderness?

The biggest aspect that comes to mind for me is that she cannot be tamed. What do you think?

Faina is fiercely independent, runs wild and can't be tamed as you said.

I agree with you both - I would also suggest she is intrinsically Alasca, she cannot survive without the snow and ice. She is wild, free, kind but can be cruel.

Based on the fairy tale side of Faina, she was a literal part of the Alaskan snow. Other than that, she knew the wildlife like she was apart of the landscape (wild and free). She lead Jack to the giant moose they needed to survive their first winter. She could hunt even better than Garrett, who was an avid hunter. Oh, remember when she found the birds that blended with the snow, and the bear's den? She could hide and navigate the wilderness like the animals.

She seemed young, (which Alaska seemed to a lot of people at that time.) She did what she wanted, (as the Alaskan wilderness will do.) And she was in sync with the animals.

Faina is wild and free. She is, in a way, unable to be tamed. All of which could be used to describe the Alaskan frontier. She embodies that wildness and spirit.

Faina is the Alaskan Wilderness in human form: wild, free, untamed, dangerous, spirited and beautiful.

Faina was connected with Alaska on every level of her life. She literally could not live without being a part of it.

I could see that "untamed" aspect of Alaska. Fierce, strong, and independent, these are the qualities that would be needed by any who would live there. These qualities are also depicted in the wildlife that live there as well. Also independence becomes self-sacrificing for the sake of another. Not just from the aspect of Faina sacrificing her existence for the sake of a child but of Garrett for Faina and Jack for Mabel and Mabel for Jack.

Faina is a wild child. She is as harsh as the winter wind, uncontrollable as the snow, yet so beautiful. The description of the Alaskan wilderness and Faina are identical. Just as you cannot control or tame the winter, you cannot tame Faina.

Faina is the perfect representation of the Alaskan wilderness. She's as beautiful as she is untameable. She's a free-spirit who survives perfectly on her own and is both gentle and harsh.

Faina represents the wilderness by blending in with the environment, rather than attempting to control it. Garrett said "I don't want to be warm and safe," but Faina exemplified that belief better than Garrett did.

You've all pretty much said it
She's wild, untamed, and is unforgiving when she hunts and kills, reflecting that Alaska is tough on any creature that lives there.

I agree with you both - I would also suggest she is intrinsically Alasca, she cannot survive without the snow and ice. She is wild, free, kind but can be cruel.