From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Smashing his head on a sidewalk is a funny way of telling Peter hes valuable.. But his life isnt worthless, Cole protested. He does not yet understand that he is just a small piece in a much larger puzzle or that he has very little control over life or nature. It is only after he gets mauled close to death by a mysterious bear of Native American legend that he begins accept responsibility for his actions and change for the better. How could he have once wanted someone to feel that way? and gets a few visits from a huge white grizzly bear, which is the Spirit Bear mentioned in the title. How is this also a circle? Wang, Bella ed. In this way, the author makes the lesson of the book go beyond a particular boy in Alaska who encounters a bear into a broader story of the man's search for self and meaning. '', When Cole returns to the island, Edwin and Garvey encourage him to participate in rituals that help him to understand and manage his emotions. Complete your free account to request a guide. Hinton | Fight Scene Quotes & Analysis. quote from Touching Spirit Bear, Animals can teach us more about ourselves than any teacher. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. Wang, Bella ed. But healing is much harder than standard punishment. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. He is for the first time excited about his surroundings, and this is ironic because with so many of his bones broken, he can no longer move around to see them and enjoy them. The abuse victim sometimes becomes the abuser. Later in the novel, he spits at Edwin while handcuffed and riding to the island for the first time. But healing is much harder than standard punishment. He also provides Cole with a carving knife, which Cole uses to create his own totem pole. Realizing this change in himself, Cole asks himself, ''How much of the world did people miss because they were not calm enough, empty enough, to experience it?''. "Touching Spirit Bear Quotes and Analysis". I dont know where the anger all started. For some of us a quote becomes a mantra, a goal or a the BookQuoters community. As Cole imitated the breaching of the humpback whale, he thought of this insight. Cole is given a chance in "Circle Justice" in which he lives in isolation on an Alaskan island for one year. A while after the attack, the Spirit Bear tamely approaches and comes within inches of Cole's face. Cole screws up immediately, burns his cabin down and gets himself mauled by a spirit bear (a colour phase of black bear, although the mauling seems cribbed from grizzly attacks.) How much beauty had he destroyed? p 114. Cole is anxious to begin his healing process through Circle Justice, but the members of the circle disagree, saying that he already gave up his chance and that he should be tried in the adult court system. Garvey teaches Cole that life is what he makes it, showing him how to turn a simple hot dog into a celebratory feast. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is the story of an angry juvenile delinquent named Cole Matthews who is facing possible prison time for unleashing on a younger, weaker teenager, causing him . A whale migrates but it doesnt have a homeI feel like the whale.. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is a story written about a boy named Cole Matthews who is a nuisance to everyone around him. Touching Spirit Bear Important Quotes 1. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. I know it. if we were just judging the first half of this book, the rating would be higher. The bear literally crushes his body but it also figuratively crushes his pride and his sense of anger and power over others. Sodapop in "The Outsiders" by S.E. Coles mother discusses how his father was beaten as a child, and she says this was a reason for him abusing Cole. Nature is a pervasive theme in Touching Spirit Bear. When Cole feels powerless, he acts out against others, often aggressively and violently. Peter sustained severe and permanent brain injuries that affected his speech and movement, and Cole was going to receive jail time. But habits change hard. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, Changing LensesA New Focus for Crime and Justice. 2) Edwin and Garvey tell him that he'll need something more substantial to eat before working, but he says "no" based on what's normal for What did Edwin's friend bernie see on an island near the one on which Cole had been placed? Complete your free account to request a guide. Somehow I have to figure out a way to help Peter. He blames the world for his problems and takes no responsibility for how his life is turning out. Beginning today, he would tell the truth. Instead of jail time or being send to a special home, Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender. He gets sent to a island with nothing but a shelter and some clothes and other supplies. 1) He refuses the gloves Edwin offers him so that he won't get blisters, citing that he is not a "wimp.". Learn your place or youll have a rough time., Garvey shrugged. Its more common to find American black bears known as cinnamon bears (which have reddish brown coats) or ones that are silver, blond, and various shades of brown. The author makes reference to supposedly Tlingit traditions, but they're not based on anything the Tlingit actually do. chapter, You only tame it. Nor did he regret hurting Peter. [Cole] couldnt stop wondering why he had been born and thinking about all the twisted events that had brought him to this moment. He goes to court. Nobody had ever cared for him, so why should he care about anyone else?, Nobody cared about him. After spitting at Edwin, Cole thinks to himself, ''What was this old guy's problem anyway?'' This quote illustrates the connection between nature's lessons and personal growth that is present throughout the novel. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Nobodys going to baby-sit you here., Being invisible had nothing to do with being seen. They'll never be happy until I'm dead, What you focus on becomes reality. interesting, well written and has potential to enhance the readers life. Cole stared. I teach students with Intellectual Disabilities that are high school students, but are at an upper elementary reading level. Did the birds insignificant little existences have any meaning at all? I see a lot of myself in you. Touching Spirit Bear is about a juvenile delinquent named Cole Matthews. He even tries to escape the island, but fails. However, Garvey knows better. Upon recovering, he finds that his mother, previously aloof and unable to denounce his abusive father, has opened up to him and agreed to press charges against his father. How is this also a circle? Even while still in the hospital, Edwin warns Cole that ''a person is never done being mad. Great descriptions and meaningful changes in the protagonist. To this storm, he was as insignificant as a leaf. It tells the story of Cole Mathews, an abused, arrogant, aggressive high school boy who has committed many crimes in his short lifetime on Earth. This forgiveness isnt for you. Theres a lot you can learn from it. However, he does not believe Cole has changed and acts passive-aggressively towards Cole to try to push him into violence. The dances, carving the totem, carrying the ancestor rock, touching the Spirit Bear, it was all the same thingit was finding out who I really was.. This time he caught Peter Driscal in the parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. In the past, everything had always been afraid of him. "He turned to Edwin. As summer approaches, the boys continue to interact, with Peter continuing to be reluctant to forgive Cole. When Peter does finally arrive on the island, Cole attempts to respect that Peter wants nothing to do with him, as he is still very afraid of Cole. Even if he did, he couldnt change what he did. submissions from our visitors and will select the quotes we feel are most appealing to Overall wouldn't recommend to ANYONE. Those who focus on anger will always be angry. Peter and Cole carve a circle into Coles totem pole to symbolize the circular nature and interconnectedness of life. I would not have finished if it wasnt a class book. With some initial resistance, Cole eagerly follows these steps, even doing a wolf dance, eagle dance, and beaver dance, among others. As a child in Bolivia, Mikaelsen grew up speaking Spanish as his first language and experienced prejudice and discrimination for being one of the only white people in his village. How would you feel if a bear made its den beside the stream?, The potbellied elder nodded with a knowing smile. This is to try and help him learn to control his anger. Touching Spirit Bear is a great book to utilize when learning about symbols because much of the symbolism is deliberately explained in the story. A bear with half a brain would have turned tail and run. there are only two things wrong with me-everything I do and everything I say. Garvey apologizes for getting Cole into this situation, and Cole responds by whispering, ''My fault. After reaching a sort of internal emotional equilibrium, Cole realizes that to really, truly heal, he must find a way to help Peter do the same. Throughout the course of the novel, Cole undergoes a radical transformation. Will the dispute be solved? Besides, this wouldnt have happened if Peter had kept his mouth shut. Black bears are, on the whole, much less likely to attack humans than either brown or grizzly bears; they evolved to be cautious and generally avoid humans. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, 7. Although neither boy is fully healed, both are on their way to a place of reconciliation, forgiveness, and even friendship. (though while reading it, the idea of fourth or fifth graders reading about seagulls eating a boys flesh made me a bit uncomfortable!) Being invisible had nothing to do with being seen. More books than SparkNotes. The mauling didnt make sense. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, and Red Dice, A civilization has the ethics it can afford. How to help Peter heal is something that will haunt you and stay in your thoughts like a sliver under your skin. Ive never done anything to him., Garvey smiled. Cole learns to control that anger, and in doing so, he learns how to take responsibility for his actions and care for others. Cole, a very generic juvenile delinquent from a very generic abusive family, is generically filled with rage and lies; he appears on course for a life perpetually in and out of prison, but then he gets drawn into the alternative Circle Justice system. Cole's unchecked anger is a red flag that he too will be abusive like his father if the circle isn't broken. Edwin said that Bernie could not believe it himself and that his friend would never lie. Those who focus on happiness will- This book was a young adult book. After he goes to the hospital he goes back to the island and everyone lived happily ever after the end. He is mauled by the Bear after Cole attempts to kill it, and lies on the island alone until some members of Circle Justice come to check on him. This story was okay. Literally the book - described his environment in like 20 different $#@&$? Besides, this wouldn't have happened if Peter had kept his mouth shut.'' No, said Cole, his voice trembling. No matter how many times I read it, I enjoy it each time. Touching Spirit Bear: Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis Next Chapter 11 Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis Cole thinks about the sparrows as he struggles to stay alive. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Cole suggests that Peter come to the island and heal with him, and Edwin agrees that it may work. Sophie Kinsella, quote from I've Got Your Number, You can never hate strongly unless you have loved strongly When Cole is alone on the island once again, he employs all of the advice that Garvey and Edwin gave him and begins his healing journey. Left to die after the attack, Cole comes to realize his own vulnerability and need to change. Peter and Cole decide to go to the soaking pond by themselves, and while there, Peter angrily confronts Cole. A strange thought occurred to Cole: the world was beautiful. the second half of this book really just irritated me, and made me wary of reading the sequel, which i have already purchased. Cole moves into a tent rather than staying in the cabin with Garvey and Peter. Chapter 19. Lage, Daniel. Touching Spirit Bear Ben Mikaelsen 3.86 30,950 ratings4,113 reviews Within Cole Matthews lies anger, rage and hate. 1) He refuses the gloves Edwin offers him so that he won't get blisters, citing that he is not a "wimp.". "You know, the stuff you just told me makes more sense than all the weird things the counselors and psychologist have told me in school and at the detention center." Instead, he sees it as punishment and abandonment, and it makes him even angrier. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. It kept changing what was happening and it was weird. ", all my parents do is drink. I recommend this to any troubled youth who might be looking for understanding and wanting to change their life for the better. The narrator gives us this insight into Cole's thoughts as he lies on the floor just after the Spirit Bear attacked him. In an attempt to avoid jail, Cole goes through a program called Circle Justice, which focuses on helping kids instead of sending them to jail. Drinking helped me ignore reality. She shook her head. Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Yours was simply food because that is all you chose for it to be. Edwin says this to Cole in order for him to appreciate the importance of nature in general but also to understand its importance for his own healing. No matter how deeply he breathed, soaking failed to take away his troubled thoughts. In fact, even after Cole has moved into the cabin, Peter finds ways to exact revenge on Cole, from minor things such as walking across his sleeping bag with muddy boots or knocking his jacket to the ground, to the more major event of destroying one of Cole's totem carvings. The sparrows were so frail, helpless, and innocent. - Those who focus on anger will always be angry. Related Topics. For example, Cole often spits at others when he feels threatened. His punishment is bordering a prison or jail sentence when his social worker decides to offer him a chance at redemption he must be banished to an island for a year and learn to understand himself, others, and the world around him. You only tame it., Why live if you cant help others and make the world a better place?, People change two ways --- with slow persistent pressure, or with a single and sudden traumatic experience., How much of the world did people miss because they were not calm enough, empty enough, to experience it?, Animals can teach us more about ourselves than any teacher., Happiness, like anger, is also a habit. Potential to enhance the readers life I would not have finished if it wasnt a book. A free LitCharts account potbellied elder nodded with a carving knife, which is Spirit! 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