What is the main message of Touching Spirit Bear?

What is the main message of Touching Spirit Bear?

Major themes such as violence, personal transformation, and isolation show up in the novel Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. The story follows a young man named Cole Matthews who is subjected to physical abuse at home by his father, which results in him lashing out at others.

What does the Spirit Bear symbolize in Touching Spirit Bear?

The Spirit Bear that lives on the Alaskan island where Cole is sent symbolizes the power, beauty, and danger of the natural world—as well as Cole’s changing relationship to the natural world.

What does the lightning symbolize in Touching Spirit Bear?

The lightning represents Cole’s uncontrollable anger that is threatening his life. The anger can come back at any time, but it will pass and Cole has to learn to endure it.

What does the anger symbolize in Touching Spirit Bear?

Cole’s assault on the Spirit Bear is actually an attack on his own ‘pride, dignity, and honor’ that leaves him in the position of having to defecate on himself and eat his own vomit and other disgusting things in order to survive.

What life lessons has Cole learned by the end of the story?

The main lessons Learnt in the novel are that Healing is better than punishment, Cole learning to control his anger, and learning to forgive. In the book “Touching Spirit Bear”, The main character; Cole, had a lot of built of anger. Cole’s Father had a very big role to play in his anger because his father beats him.

How did Cole change in Touching Spirit Bear?

Over the course of Touching Spirit Bear, Cole Matthews undergoes a dramatic transformation. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, per say—Cole mostly changes on the inside, where he learns to let go of his hang-ups and his violent tendencies, and instead tries to be a better person.

Why does Cole spit at the bear?

Why does Cole spit at the bear? Cole wants to attract the bear’s attention. Cole wants to show the bear he is ready to die. Cole wants to clear his throat before he screams at the bear.

Why did Cole carve a seal?

In Touching Spirit Bear, Cole carves symbols into a totem pole, a traditional Native American sculpture. This meditative act teaches him respect for nature and trust of other living things. First he carves an eagle, then a wolf, beaver, bear, seal, sparrow, raven, salmon, and lightning.

Why did the bear make Cole so angry?

Cole Matthews in Touching Spirit Bear has been living with anger for much of his life that stems from abuse from his father. As a result, he takes his anger out on a younger student, causing him permanent brain injury.

Why is the spirit bear important to First Nations?

Ecology. Like most coastal bears, spirit bears play an important role in coastal ecosystems as they bring salmon from rivers into the forest to eat. The leftover remains of the salmon are then available for other animals that eat salmon (e.g. eagles, minks, etc.)

What did Cole learn from the salmon?

pg. 186 He learned that this animal is patient, persistent, and ingenious, as well as powerful.