Blue-shirt { in Inuktitat, the Inuit language}, or Mykla Jokull, now known as Gunnbjorn's Peak {12,500 feet}--the great metaphorical centerpiece in William T. Vollmann's saga-like novel --is the great glacier in Greenland used as a landmark by Erik the Red in sailing west from Snaefellsness.
In his book "The Primary Colors: Three Essays," Alexander Theroux references significant landmarks in his exploration of themes and narratives. One notable mention is Gunnbjorn's Peak, also called Mykla Jokull, which stands at an impressive 12,500 feet and embodies a metaphorical significance in William T. Vollmann's saga. This towering glacier served as a crucial navigational point for Erik the Red during his westward journey from Snaefellsness, highlighting the intersection of geography and storytelling. The use of names such as Blue-shirt in Inuktitut illustrates the cultural richness and historical tapestry that surrounds these landmarks. Theroux's essay intertwines geography, history, and personal reflection, revealing how these elements contribute to a deeper understanding of identity and the human experience. He invites readers to consider the monumental features of the landscape not just as physical entities but as symbols embedded in narratives that define human connections with nature and the past.