Stickeen by John Muir (1880)
The story revolves around a small dog named Stickeen who accompanies the narrator on an expedition to Alaska's glaciers. The narrative explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the human-canine bond in the face of extreme wilderness conditions.
By John Muir · First published 1880 · Genre: Adventure, Nature Writing, Memoir · 8,860 words
First lines
In the summer of 1880 I set out from Fort Wrangel in a canoe to continue the exploration of the icy region of southeastern Alaska, begun in the fall of 1879. After the necessary provisions, blankets, etc., had been collected and stowed away, and my Indian crew were in their places ready to start, while a crowd of their relatives and friends on the wharf were bidding them good-by and good-luck, my companion, the Rev. S. H. Young, for whom we were waiting, at last came aboard, followed by a little black dog, that immediately made himself at home by curling up in a hollow among the baggage. I like dogs, but this one seemed so small and worthless that I objected to his going, and asked the missionary why he was taking him.
What this Textopian page supports
Stickeen is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Muir, dated 1880 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Muir
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Nature Writing, Memoir, Animal Fiction, Philosophical
- Length: 8,860 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Stickeen by John Muir
- 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 Stickeen?
- How does this short story by John Muir fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Fortieth French Ascent Of Mont Blanc By Paul Verne by Jules Verne
- My May Day Among Curious Birds And Beasts by Louisa May Alcott
- Travels In Alaska by John Muir
- Through The Brazilian Wilderness by Theodore Roosevelt
- Travels With A Donkey In The Cevennes by Robert Louis Stevenson
- A Thousand Mile Walk To The Gulf by John Muir
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative centers around an exploration journey in a wild and challenging environment, highlighting the physical and emotional challenges faced by the characters.
- Nature Writing — The work vividly describes the natural landscape, emphasizing the beauty and power of nature, as well as the relationship between humans and the wilderness.
- Memoir — The text is a personal account of the author's experiences and reflections during a specific journey, blending factual recounting with personal insights.
- Animal Fiction — The story features a central canine character, Stickeen, whose personality and actions drive much of the narrative, exploring themes of loyalty and companionship.
Tags
Adventure · Alaska · Autobiographical · Canine · Conservation · Exploration · Faith · Friendship · Geology · Nature · Nonfiction · Outdoor