# II: The Awakening explained — A Cycle of the West

> Chapter companion for A Cycle of the West by John G. Neihardt.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/ii-the-awakening
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters