Content Warning: This section discusses death by suicide.

Jason is among tens of thousands of people who, upon hearing of gold in the distant North, abandon their responsibilities in favor of a drastic choice and weighty risk. The journey to the Klondike goldfields is a harrowing and dangerous one, even for those who are well-equipped and mentally and physically prepared; for those who are not, failure is almost a certainty, and impulsivity and rashness are punished with loss, heartbreak, and financial ruin. The novel suggests that while the allure of wealth is significant, those who allow dreams of wealth to guide important decisions suffer serious consequences.

The call of riches hits Jason hard; only after experiencing close calls and failures does he realize that money should not steer one’s path. Jason is so focused on the thought of racing to Canada that he does not attempt communication with his brothers or think through his radical choice to board the Yakima without any supplies. These choices result in crucial time wasted: He goes forward without the required outfit, then must backtrack when no party at Lake Lindeman or Lake Bennett will take him in. Later, he rashly elects to follow the moose’s blood trail as he triumphantly nears Dawson City; arriving with fresh meat will impress his brothers and boost the likelihood of them inviting him to help their

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