Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What was the Klondike (or Yukon) Gold Rush? Why was this event important?

Teaching Suggestion: The Klondike Gold Rush, motivated by the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of Yukon, spurred the migration of some 100,000 prospectors between 1896 and 1899. Though some prospectors became wealthy, most made the perilous journey for nothing. It will be helpful to present students with an overview of the Klondike Gold Rush, including its origins, effects, and aftermath. Make sure that students understand that it was not only prospectors who participated in the Klondike Gold Rush: The influx of new immigrants significantly bolstered the economy of the Pacific Northwest, enriching people in many different industries. But the Klondike Gold Rush also negatively impacted the environment as well as the lives of many local Indigenous people.  

• This History Channel article gives a good overview of the Klondike Gold Rush.
• This page of the official Alaska State website describes the geography of Alaska.

2. What are some adventure novels from the early 20th century? What are some trends you associate with the literature of this period?