The Trap-Book review

The Trap, by John Smelcer
Book Review By Shibo Shim: “Listen To Your Own Heart”

‘He would not speak or sing again. Somewhere, high up in the branches above, Johnny heard
an owl. He sat with his arms around his grandfather. His breathing had become inaudible and the world was quiet and beautiful.’
(The Trap, p168)

Albert Least-Weasel, an old man, lived for a long time in the north land, Alaska. He was familiar with the trap he used to hunt animals, which was his way of living. Although he was a skillful trapper, one day he accidentally stepped into one of his traps which he placed on the mountain earlier. It stuck him but didn't hurt him initially; however it meant the beginning of desperate struggles against the intolerable and severe natural elements. He had to stand extreme cold, which caused frostbite, and threatening attacks of wolves in the wilderness. But he was wise enough to compose himself and solve the problem whenever he faced perilous moments for three long, long nights and four days.
Albert could have been rescued from death if Johnny Least-Weasel, his grandson, had found him just a few hours earlier. Seventeen-year old Johnny was concerned about Albert, who didn’t come back after going to the mountain to check his traps four days prior, and finally decided to go look for his grandfather. Johnny ended up finding his grandfather and driving off the attacking wolves with a gun. However, Albert, hurt and exhausted not only by wolves but also by cold, met the end of his life. Johnny was crying when his grandfather died. He felt sad, angry and guilty that he had not listened to his own heart. He thought he should have come days earlier. He blamed himself.
Once you read the book, you might be a little impatient when Johnny doesn’t hurry and try to look for his grandfather, while Albert is grappling with the trap which didn’t allow him to move. The last chapter would make you almost breathless, particularly, when Albert sees grey wolves coming towards him at the same time that Johnny’s snowmobile is getting closer. Unfortunately, Johnny failed to relieve Albert, but he did his best. He ran against the wilderness by himself in spite of the dangerous cold. Johnny thought he was responsible for his grandfather’s death and regretted not to listening to his heart. He was definitely following his own mind and was thoughtful and courageous enough. Without Johnny’s determination, Albert might have disappeared except for a couple of his bones. As it turned out, Johnny was able to see Albert’s last moment of life and hear the old man’s last love song. Because of that, Albert closed his eyes peacefully and without loneliness.
Albert, the old man, showed what real wisdom and bravery is. You should be touched by the last event: his fighting the wolves with all his strength. When he dies, you might feel not only sorrowful but also peaceful and even beautiful. (The author often depicted many scenes and events using contrast and juxtaposition: beautiful but dangerous nature, warm house and freezing outside. Those expressions seemed to make this story vivid and amplify sympathy.)
Throughout this story we can meet cold, cruel, beautiful northland, Alaska, and two men who were brave and wise in the beautiful but pitiless wilderness. After reading the last page you might feel two men’s voices for long time and encounter some questions. Can you meet the lonely, last moment without fear and sing a song? Can you stand threats bravely? Do you love your family with all your heart? Do you listen to your own heart?