In the novel Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, the main character Cole Matthews goes from a furious teenager that controls his anger through violence to a controlled young adult who turns to be very thoughtful. The text states “With anger he had been brewing all day, he attacked him and started hitting him hard in the face with his bare fists” (Mikaelsen 7). This quote shows Cole let out his anger violently or in ways of hurting others. The text also states “But maybe if Peter came to the island,he would see how much things could change”(Mikaelsen 203). This quote shows how Cole changed because it explained how he was trying to help Peter and to get him to change like Cole did. In this novel Cole also went from very self-centered
Has anyone ever called you an animal? Have you been compared to a sloth because you were lazy, or a mouse because you were quiet? In my Language Arts class, we read the book “Touching Spirit Bear” by Ben Mikaelsen. In this novel, a troubled teenage boy named Cole is banished to an island to find and heal his soul after he severely beats a kid. During his stay on the island, Cole realizes that he is similar to several different animals.
So after Cole and Peter became friends they started to do everything together. They soaked in the pond together, they hunted together, the went fishing together, they also carved stuff on their totems together. But they eventually have to pack up and return to the city. When they return they have to go to school. When they get to the school they get bullied a lot and they don 't like it, so they decide to go back to the island to see the Spirit Bear one more time.
Winter Dreams By F. Scott Fitzgerald is a short-story telling of a 14 year-old caddy named Dexter Green. In this narrative Dexter meet Judy Jones while working at his golf course. As the story continues on, Dexter becomes severely infatuated by Judy. The desire to be hers overcomes him so greatly, he works his way to wealth to be in the same social class as her, hoping to catch her attention and marry her someday. However Judy may be beautifully the outside as she ages, but her insides say differently.
The book Ghost of Spirit Bear is a sequel to the book Touching Spirit Bear. I enjoyed this book because it has a good story and plot. While this book is not as adventurous or moving as the first book Ghost of Spirit Bear still has a good plot and creates vivid pictures in your mind while reading. I prefered Touching Spirit Bear over this book because it has more adventure and a more shocking story. The book consists mainly of the same characters but more were added when Peter and Cole go to school.
At the beginning of the novel, Cole Matthews is a vicious teenager who thinks he is superior to everyone, but is, in fact, hiding behind a shield of anger, the result of being brutally abused by his drunken father. Cole’s father, Mr. Matthews, drinks non stop until he becomes a monster, and then ruthlessly beats Cole up. When talking to Garvey, a proud, Tlingit indian, who is also his parole officer, Cole opens up about his father’s abuse saying, “‘You don’t know what it’s like being hit over and over until you’re so numb you don’t feel anything!” (Mikaelsen 28).
He realized how small and meaningless he was compared to the bear. Which caused Cole to change his point of view. Cole was able to change, physically and mentally. He went from a person who couldn’t control his anger and caused a lot of trouble, to a person who can accept when they're wrong, someone who can problem solve, and someone who can control their emotions.
Mark Smith the author of “The Road to Winter” displays that affliction brings out the very finest and least in people. The story is centred the main character Finn. He survived a deadly virus that wiped out his entire town and he has to adapt to a life by himself. Finn lost his family and friends and had to survive on his own. He learnt to kill animals, defend himself and a whole lot more.
For example, when Edwin asked Cole what he learned from his anger dance, Cole says “‘To forgive,” Cole said. “Being angry is giving someone else control of my feelings so they own me. Forgiving gives me control again’”(234-235). At this time of the book, Cole has forgiven others for the harsh acts on him. Cole changes from letting his anger control him to having a hold on it himself so it won’t lash out like he did on Peter.
Everything will turn out right in the end, and Cole exhibits this. The whole reason that Cole ended up o the island in the first place is because he made bad choices. These choices led to more bad choices and then Cole had a traumatic experience. This changes Cole’s life forever.
Cole was beaten by him throughout his childhood. This pain and anger gave him the personality and characteristic to inflict pain on other people. The two final themes have a very strong connection. In order to heal, mentally and physically, you have to learn to forgive and receive forgiveness. This was a lesson the reader and the main character, Cole, experience throughout the book.
The relationships in Cole’s life all had a different impact on him but specifically his relationship with Peter affected him a lot. Especially the part of the book when Cole found out that Peter told on him. “‘You’re a dead man,’ he warned... He laughed when he saw fear in Peter’s eyes”(7-8). This shows the relationship at the beginning of the book and clearly it wasn’t good.
Cole emphasizes in his lyrics that “life can’t be no fairytale, no once upon a time; but [he’ll] be God damned if a n***a don’t be tryin’”. Despite all the shortcomings of his city, that won’t stop Cole from trying to make something out of himself. In comparison, I always had to learn things the hard way, and I always failed at what I tried to achieve. However my mistakes never stopped from moving forward and I continue to overcome any obstacles that stand in my way. Living through the hard times motivates me to continuously work hard, and never settle for
For example, when Cole purposy bothered the Spirt Bear and later on ended up getting mauld by the animal. It is obvious that Cole’s decisions and actions against banishment lead him to fail the act. Cole’s consistent negative attitude made him dislike the idea of meaning humane. Since the beginning of the book, Cole has satisfied himself with anger. Cole believes that he can concor anything with his anger.
Can mere mortals with hold magical abilities? In the Lake of The Woods, a mystery war novel written by Tim O’Brien, whose major theme is that not every problem has a solution, but may present a different outlook on the problem and aspects surrounding it. The main character, John Wade, uses magic to hide his manipulation and deception in order to put on a smiling face on a daily basis. As a result of wanting to carry on his deceit, he ventures into the political world, while putting his wife,Kathy Wade, through misery. Kathy hated the political life style and gatherings, in this degree she was secretly relieved when he was unable to become a U.S. Senator.
Change in characters throughout a story is in inevitable to some degree, but how change is interpreted can alter the story to a greater extent. Cole Matthews develops into a young teenager who accepts his mistakes and is concerned for others wellbeing. Throughout Touching Spirit Bear Cole faces numerous challenges that brings along pain that can heal or destroy. The anger that leads to Coles transformation is a result of childhood trauma, with the help of Circle Justice Cole experiences a variety of opportunities that assist Cole in his path of healing. Coles change has influenced his personality and how he now sees himself, the way he looks at others, and how others look at him.