Crabbe: Essay

How Crabbe Changes throughout the Book

      Franklin Crabbe changed many times throughout the book Crabbe. His body was physically stronger, outdoor skills improved and had a better personality.

      Crabbe grew physically stronger. At the beginning of the book, Crabbe thinks he’s “skinny, gangly and not strong” and is “not good at lifting things” (p36). On the way to the camp, he was so weak that he had to “drag the packs out of the boat” and couldn’t even “get the damn [canoe] up” (p46). However, after five months living in the wilderness, Crabbe could “[flip] the canoe onto [his] shoulders, just like [the actors] do in the movies” (p95). “[He] was strong” compared to before (p95).

Crabbe’s survival skills improved. When he first came to the wilderness, he knew nothing ----- he left candies in his tents and spilled fish oil all over in his sleeping bag etc. (p51). However, after living with Mary for months, he learned how to make a fire, smoke meat, cook meals, catch animals and paddle a canoe ----- he learned how to survive in the wilderness!

      Crabbe had a better personality throughout/after the journey compared to before the time before the journey. For example, he risked his own life and rescued Mary from the hunters’ shelter (p111-113). However, at the beginning after Crabbe fell off the waterfall, when Mary said Crabbe would have done it for her too, he believed he would not have saved her if she really fell. Another example, Crabbe used to get everything he wanted before running away. He was smart and had money, alcohol etc. However, when he got back to his home, he started to earn money by doing hard labors, (p167) even though he still could get anything he wanted.

      Crabbe changed throughout the story. He was stronger and had better survival skills. Also, he had a nicer personality.