Character Analysis
All we ever learn about Russell is that he is "the young man who had been campaigning around the village, begging the Eskimos to vote 'No' on requests for liquor licenses by the local restaurants" (2.100). It's perhaps because of his stance on alcohol that Julie chooses to confide in him when Naka drinks. Russell tells her all about a man who helps other men like Naka, and this man turns out to be Mr. Pollock, Julie's pen pal's father. Essentially, Russell's only effect on the novel is to deliver this key information to Julie.