A Cycle of the West · Chapter
II: The Awakening explained
Hugh Glass awakens from a coma after being mauled by a grizzly bear, only to discover he has been abandoned by his companions, including Jamie, who left him for dead.
What happens
Hugh Glass awakens from a coma after being mauled by a grizzly bear, only to discover he has been abandoned by his companions, including Jamie, who left him for dead. Grappling with physical pain, betrayal, and despair, he finds a renewed will to survive and seek revenge.
Themes in this chapter
Heroic Individualism and Epic Scale
Hugh Glass's solitary struggle to overcome physical and emotional pain embodies the heroic individualist spirit, as he defies the vast, indifferent landscape.
Friendship and Betrayal
The chapter centers on Glass's realization of Jamie's betrayal, contrasting his deep affection with the painful truth of abandonment.
Nature and the Wilderness
The vast, empty prairie and sky serve as both a backdrop and an antagonist, reflecting Glass's isolation and the harshness of the natural world.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Glass
Awakens from a coma after a bear attack, discovers he has been abandoned, and resolves to survive and seek revenge.
- Little Jim
Implied to have been present at the camp and to have abandoned Hugh, taking his gun, blanket, and flint.
- Major Andrew Henry
Mentioned as the leader of the men who were riding westward; Hugh expects them to have camped nearby.
Key passages
“No one may say what time elapsed, or when The slumberous shadow lifted over Hugh: But some globose immensity of blue Enfolded him at last, within whose light He seemed to float, as some faint swimmer might, A deep beneath and overhead a deep.”
Hugh Glass regains consciousness after an unknown period, feeling as if he is floating in a vast blue expanse.
Describes Glass's disoriented awakening from his coma.
“And then at length, as from the long ago, Remote beyond the other side of wrong, The old love came like some remembered song Whereof the strain is sweet, the burden sad.”
Despite the betrayal, Glass recalls his fond memories of Jamie with bittersweet nostalgia.
Highlights Glass's emotional conflict between love and betrayal.
“So bellowsed, all the kindled soul of Hugh Became a still white hell of brooding ire, And through his veins regenerating fire Ran, driving out the lethargy of pain.”
Glass's anger transforms into a focused, burning rage that gives him renewed strength to overcome his pain.
Shows how anger fuels Glass's determination to survive and seek revenge.