fm115+Rontu+Aru

// Rontu Lives On //

In Chapters 25 and 26 of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, Karana's loyal dog Rontu dies of old age, leading her to capture and tame a new dog. Some readers may think that Karana replaced Rontu too quickly and easily but Karana actually spent an entire Winter mourning him. Although some people may think that Karana just got her new dog, Rontu Aru, to forget about Rontu, it shows much Karana misses Rontu and the love and companionship that he gave to her. While it is true that Karana did not mention Rontu when she said, "... more and more now I thought of Tutok and my sister, Ulape," the reader also has to realize that Karana was with Rontu Aru when she said that, and says that she sometimes thinks Rontu Aru is Rontu when he is running up and down the beach. Because she cared so deeply for Rontu, Karana did not simply move on when he died, but instead needed a new companion to fill the hole that was left in her heart.