A Presentation of Whales (1980) Summary and Analysis

The author describes the events surrounding the stranding of forty one sperm whales on an Oregon beach in 1979 (see "Quotes", p. 121). He describes how the animals were probably stranded by a too-quickly retreating high tide, how their physical condition began to deteriorate (because of heat, dehydration, and inability to breathe) almost immediately, and how just as immediately, crowds of spectators formed (see "Quotes", p. 129). These crowds included scientists (desperate for information about the mostly un-researched whales), members of environmental groups (determined to do what they could to save the whales) and members of the public, some of whom reacted with sensitivity and reverence , others of whom reacted as though they were at a circus sideshow.

The author briefly describes a meeting held in a small town (Florence) near to where the whales became stranded, at...