Wolf Brother: Final Essay

Cherise Sinclair once said, “Responsibility and confidence are internal, so don't overlook the quiet guy in the corner. He might be shorter, and yet able to drop you to your knees with a low command.” The protagonist, Torak from Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is a confident and responsible boy who did not know his own personality. Confidence and responsibility is important for people to be successful though some do not show or know their true ability. Torak is the responsible and confident Listener who completes his quest perfectly, even though he used to be afraid and diffident.

Torak is fearful and unsure when he first hears he is the Listener who needs to give his heart’s blood to the Mountain (66). He is scared of death – being sacrificed by giving his heart’s blood away. He tries to flee (81) though he is caught later by Renn (88). He is shown unconfident in the fight with Hord as “they [circle] each other [warily]” (60). Torak copies exactly what Hord does because he is so faithless and afraid to use his own moves he learned from his father (60). “He [thinks] it wouldn’t be much longer” because “[he doesn’t] think [wolf and him] are going to get out” (62). Torak doubts his ability because he is in lack of faith in himself.

Even though Torak used to be an unwilling boy, Torak becomes certain and accountable. Torak puts his own life at risk to search for Renn in the fierce snow storm (185). He is unselfish and answerable for his partner, Renn even though he knows he might die. Torak argued without hesitation with Hord who is aggressive and tough, that Torak is the Listener and he would be the one who goes to the Mountain of Spirits and fights the Demon Bear (202-203). Torak is liable because he thinks fighting the Demon Bear and protecting the human race is his responsibility as he is the Listener. He is also assured because he has courage to claim in front of every member of Raven Clan that he would try to kill the Demon Bear and he has faith that he stands a chance of defeating the Demon Bear. Torak is dauntless, caring, accountable and responsible.

Torak completes his quest entirely. Torak’s quest is to collect three Nanuaks and defeat the Demon Bear. The only clue of finding the three Nanuaks is a riddle: “Deepest of all, the drowned sight. Oldest of all, the stone bite. Coldest of all, the darkest light.” (102). His first Nanuak is found at the bottom of the freezing and fast river after he almost drowns (111). Even though Torak almost dies from lack of air in the river, he does not give up on the Nanuak and even dives for it. The second Nanuak is found in a dark stone mouth that Torak goes into where he is attacked by the Watchers, the evil spirits (139-141). The third Nanuak is found in an ice hole on the Ice River (180). Torak is tested right after to see if he would sacrifice himself for searching Renn (182). He passes the test by deciding to take a chance to save Renn (183). Torak finally makes it to the Mountain of Spirits to kill the Demon Bear (227). He offers the three Nanuaks to the Spirits of the Mountain through his wolf brother and the spirits helped Torak defeat the Demon Bear (230). Torak completes his quest successfully and saves the human race.

Torak used to be craven and faithless, but he progressively becomes assured and amenable and completes his quest faultlessly. Wolf Brother reveals that being responsible and confident is vital for a person. Therefore, people should all start to build confidence and sense of responsibility day by day to become a mentally mightier person filled with determination.