Symbolism In Circle Justice

The incredible change in young rebellious Cole was the result of Circle Justice. Circle Justice is a healing form of justice that was beneficial for Cole because he learned to be selfless, he gained a deeper understanding of himself and others, and he learned various symbols that allowed him to understand how to control his anger. Through Cole’s journey he starts to care about others such as the sparrows and Peter. He learned more about himself and his life and why his father beats him and treats him the way he does. Various symbols such as a random stick and rolling the ancestor rock also allowed Cole to understand his anger. Learning how to be selfless was an important lesson that Cole learned through his Circle Justice process.

For example, clearing his mind of anger in the soaking pond became a daily routine for Cole, but the real symbol for Cole understanding his anger was a simple stick. Edwin says, “The right end of the stick is your happiness, the left end is your anger”(pg.143-144). He tells Cole to break off the anger side of the stick. After Cole does so, he realizes that even after being broken off, the anger side of the stick will always be there. At this moment, Cole wonders what the point of trying is if you can’t get rid of anger. Edwin tells him that everyone carries anger and happiness, and you have a choice to focus on either one and it’s “What you focus on that becomes a reality”(pg.145). Rolling the ancestor rock was another method that allowed Cole to understand his anger. As Cole and Edwin climb the hill to roll down the ancestor rock for the first time, it becomes a symbol of his anger. After Cole allows the rock to become his anger, he rolls it down the hill and feels his “body growing lighter”(pg.166) as the anger leaves him. In addition, on page 192, the anger dance was Cole’s final step to understanding how to control the anger brewing inside himself. When Cole felt ready to dance the dance of anger, he began by reenacting some of the challenges he faced on the island, such as the the bear attack and the storm that killed the baby sparrows