Isabela Godin: Amazon Survivor
Isabela Godin des Odonais faced a journey that would test both her endurance and her hope. In the eighteenth century, she lived in Riobamba, in what is now Ecuador. Her husband, Jean, had worked on a French scientific expedition in South America. Neither expected that an attempt to arrange a family voyage would keep them apart for more than twenty years.
A journey that became a long separation
In 1749, Jean traveled alone down the Amazon toward Cayenne, in French Guiana. He wanted to arrange a route that his family could follow before they continued to France. Isabela remained behind while pregnant. Once Jean reached Cayenne, he sought the official passports needed to return through Portuguese-controlled territory and collect his family.
Obtaining those documents proved painfully difficult. Requests and letters went unanswered or failed to reach their destinations. Years passed. Eventually, a Portuguese vessel was sent to help transport the family. Jean fell ill and could not accompany it upriver, so he sent a messenger with instructions. Further delays meant that Isabela did not leave Riobamba until October 1769.
Trouble on the rivers
- Endurance:
- The ability to continue through effort or hardship.
- Tributary:
- A river or stream that flows into a larger river.
- Provisions:
- Food and other supplies needed for a journey.
- Submerged:
- Below the surface of water.
- Resilience:
- The ability to continue or recover when facing serious difficulties.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How does the long separation show that planning a journey did not give the family control over every obstacle?
- 2What official documents did Jean seek after reaching Cayenne?
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About this biography passage for Middle School
“Isabela Godin: Amazon Survivor” is a biography reading passage about Exploration, written for Middle School. It takes about 4 minutes to read (563 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.