Read the excerpt below from the diary of Patrick Breen, one of the survivors of the Donner Party. As you read, think about why broen recorded this information in his day
For what purpose did Breen include this information in his diary
November 20, 1846
Came to this place on the 31st of last month that it snowed we went on to the pass the snow so deep we were unable to find the road, when within 3 miles of the summit then turned back to this shanty on the lake, Stanton Came one day after we arrived here we again took our teams & wagons made another unsuccessful attempt to cross in company with Stanton we returned to the shanty it continuing to snow all the time we were here we now have
killed most part of our cattle having to stay here until next spring & live on poor beef without bread or salt
November 29, 1846
still snowing now about 3 feet deep. Alled my last oven today will skin them tomorrow gave another yoke to fosters hard to get wood
A. To show how desperate his situation was
B. To support his reasons for cannibalism
C. To prove how well he took care of family
D. To record the weather conditions
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: A. To show how desperate his situation was.
Patrick Breen’s diary entries from November 20 and 29, 1846, provide a vivid account of the dire circumstances faced by the Donner Party as they became trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains. By documenting the severe weather conditions and the drastic measures taken for survival, Breen illustrates the desperation and hopelessness of their situation.
In the first entry, Breen describes the heavy snowfall that made it impossible to find the road and forced the group to turn back from their attempt to cross the pass. He notes that they retreated to a shanty by the lake and highlights the increasing severity of their food situation, stating that they had killed most of their cattle and would have to rely on “poor beef without bread or salt.” This language emphasizes the extreme scarcity of resources and the challenges they faced, providing a clear picture of their struggle for survival.
By November 29, the situation had worsened, with snow reaching about three feet deep. Breen’s mention of killing his last oven indicates the complete loss of their means to cook, further emphasizing the urgency of their circumstances. The diary records the difficulties in gathering firewood, a critical resource for warmth and cooking, showcasing the harsh realities of their environment.
Overall, Breen’s intent in including this information in his diary was to document the desperation of their situation. His entries serve not only as a historical record of the challenges faced by the Donner Party but also reflect the human instinct for survival in the face of overwhelming adversity. By capturing these details, Breen provides future readers with a poignant understanding of the extreme conditions that led to difficult decisions, including the later resort to cannibalism, as a means of survival.
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