Hunting the Walrus by James Baldwin
The narrative revolves around a young black man's journey to confront his past and the societal expectations placed upon him. He embarks on a quest to find a white woman who has abandoned her family, symbolizing his own desire for freedom and escape from the constraints of his community. Along the way, he grapples with themes of identity, morality, and the complexities of human relationships.
By James Baldwin · First published 1955 · Genre: Adventure, Non-fiction, Nature · 1,808 words
First lines
The walrus is one of the largest animals still extant, and although the element of personal danger is not so great in hunting it as in hunting some beasts of lesser bulk, yet the conditions under which the sport is pursued, as well as the nature of the sport itself, are such as will probably tempt one who has once tried this form of sport to return to it.
An average-sized four-year-old walrus will measure ten feet in length and about the same in girth. The weight is, of course, difficult to determine; but it is probably about 3000 pounds, of which 350 pounds may be reckoned as blubber, and 300 pounds as hide.
What this Textopian page supports
Hunting the Walrus is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Baldwin, dated 1955 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: 1955 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Non-fiction, Nature, Sports, Travel
- Length: 1,808 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hunting the Walrus by James Baldwin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Hunting the Walrus?
- How does this short story by James Baldwin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative focuses on the thrilling and dangerous pursuit of hunting walruses, emphasizing the excitement and challenges faced by the hunters.
- Non-fiction — The text provides factual information about walruses, their habitat, and the methods used in hunting them, indicating a non-fictional account.
- Nature — The detailed descriptions of the walrus, its environment, and the natural conditions encountered during the hunt highlight the genre of nature writing.
- Sports — The text describes hunting as a sport, focusing on the skills and techniques required, as well as the physical demands on the hunters.
Tags
Coming-of-age · Identity · Racial tensions · Social commentary · Literary fiction · American literature · Southern Gothic · Psychological drama · Family dynamics · Trauma · Memory · Nostalgia