The Yellow-Back
The story revolves around a young trapper who becomes embroiled in the conflict between the French-Canadian and American fur traders in the Canadian wilderness. The protagonist's life is marked by hardship, loss, and ultimately, redemption.
By James Oliver Curwood · First published 1915 · Genre: Adventure, Romance, Western · 7,510 words
First lines
Above God's Lake, where the Bent Arrow runs red as pale blood under its crust of ice, Reese Beaudin heard of the dog auction that was to take place at Post Lac Bain three days later. It was in the cabin of Joe Delesse, a trapper, who lived at Lac Bain during the summer, and trapped the fox and the lynx sixty miles farther north in this month of February.
What this Textopian page supports
The Yellow-Back is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Oliver Curwood, dated 1915 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 Oliver Curwood
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Romance, Western, Drama, Mystery
- Length: 7,510 words
- Structure: 1 section, 176 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Yellow-Back by James Oliver Curwood
- 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 The Yellow-Back?
- How does this short story by James Oliver Curwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Kazan by James Oliver Curwood
- Bucky Severn by James Oliver Curwood
- The Greater Power by Harold Bindloss
- The Grizzly King by James Oliver Curwood
- The Buccaneer Farmer by Harold Bindloss
- The Danger Trail by James Oliver Curwood
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative is driven by a journey and the protagonist's quest for justice, featuring elements of exploration and survival in a wilderness setting.
- Romance — Central to the plot is a love story involving past relationships, unrequited love, and the protagonist's enduring affection for Elise.
- Western — The setting in the Canadian wilderness, the rugged lifestyle, and the themes of frontier justice align with the Western genre.
- Drama — The story is rich in emotional conflict, personal struggles, and dramatic confrontations between characters.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Wildlife · Nature · Survival · Thriller · Action · Romance · Historical · American · Literary · Classic