ipl-logo

Touching Spirit Bear Essay

542 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Touching spirit bear chapter 9-12

The novel Touching Spirit Bear is a realistic fiction of a remarkable journey by a young boy Cole Mathews. Cole has always struggled with his anger and one day after he robs a hardware store. A boy named Peter Driscal snitches on Cole. Cole beats Peter for turning him in and seriously wounds Peter. Cole is sent to a system called circle justice. The circle decides to isolate him on a remote island to help him change. When on the island Cole is mauled by a spirit bear. After months of rehabilitation, he is sent back to the Island. After a long time of hard labor, he finally sees that he needs to let go of his anger. The one character that I think made the biggest difference to Cole was Garvey. Garvey had a major effect on Cole's life. He was always there for Cole through the hard times of being in the detention center. One choice Garvey made was to recommend circle justice to Cole. Another Choice that Garvey chose to make at the end of the book was to help Cole with gathering firewood. Even after pushing Cole to do his best, he sees that Cole has truly changed for the better. The small act of helping Cole shows that Garvey trusts Cole. …show more content…

This choice that Garvey made shows his dedication to wanting Cole to change. Garvey's choice to suggest Circle Justice to Cole is a major point in the story. Circle Justice is a program that tries to help people rehabilitate instead of being punished. In the novel, Garvey tells Cole. “Circle justice tries to heal not punish,” “it’s a new trial program. Other towns and cities are using it too.” P. 11. The quote and choice Garvey makes display that he truly wants Cole to change. He wants to help Cole overcome his anger, and help him through his life. Garvey was wise to suggest this to cole. Even when Cole thinks it’s a cheap way out of jail Garvey knows that circle justice could help

Show More
Related
661 Words | 3 Pages

Garvey is part of juvenile justice and wants to help Cole because Garvey himself has had run ins

Read More
515 Words | 3 Pages

Instead, he suffered as a result of his choices in life. Cole has been lonely all his life, and this has led to him to start doing things that have hurt and harmed others as well as himself for attention. Cole's feelings have been written on chapter 8, page 73 as "every action worked against him and hurt him deeply, a bitter loneliness swept over him as tears clouded his vision. " Cole felt alone, but only recognized it when he was on the brink of death. This, in turn, led to Cole trying to fill the loneliness with other things like violence and theft, which nearly lead him to his death.

Read More
568 Words | 3 Pages

Cole proposes that he choose Circle Justice instead of the possibility of being tried in an adult court, Cole immediately starts looking into the option. And then, Cole was taken back into juvenile detention. Then he was sent off to an island where he stayed and lived for a few months.

Read More
289 Words | 2 Pages

His father's beating has not only caused physical pain but mental pain and damage making him broken, disturbed, and insecure. Cole had enough of the Spirit Bear and advanced on the

Read More
1582 Words | 7 Pages

We are going to talk about something related to both of these topics, Cole’s behavior. Looking at his background and attitude, you are probably thinking that he is not going to have the best behavior. If you thought that then great because at this point it is really obvious and expected. Unfortunately, after Cole has been hit by his father and has a mother that acts like a barbie doll, One of the main characteristics of Cole’s behavior is that he has trust issues. There is one time when the text just says it and I found the text evidence on page four and it states: “Cole didn’t trust Garvey.

Read More
1060 Words | 5 Pages

He shows an unrelenting and uncompromising determination. For example, to stay afloat Cole begins to swim aggressively and passionately against the tide in hopes of getting to the neighbouring island.[5] Although, he perseveres and continues regardless, "Every minute counted now, and he needed to swim hard", these words that were stated relate to how he suffers severe physical and emotional pain as he swims across the water.[3] Surprisingly, despite his efforts, Cole eventually realizes he lacks the necessary power to reach the mainland because he is indirectly forced to return. [2]To conclude, Cole has incredible bravery in the face of emotional and physical suffering, proving his ability to endure pain and come out the other side stronger. He is also observant, and knowledgeable, and has a unique awareness of what causes others to react.

Read More
1076 Words | 5 Pages

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.

Read More
1096 Words | 5 Pages

Later, when he returns to the island, he starts using dances and methods to heal with Garvey and Edwin's help. One by one, Edwin and Garvey taught Cole their ways. First, Edwin brought Cole to an ice-cold pond to clear his mind. The idea was that Cole would be affected not only mentally but also his injuries from the bear attack would be numbed. Cole starts hesitant, not wanting to wake up early in the morning just to freeze, but soon Cole becomes ¨afraid he might oversleep¨ (Mikaelsen 194).

Read More
931 Words | 4 Pages

That’s what’s important’”(285). This shows the trust and close bong that has grown in their relationship. One of the steps to overcoming adversity is fixing a broken bond and Cole did that which had a big impact on him overcoming his adversity. Cole’s relationships have impacted him and helped him overcome his challenges, identical to his environment and how that helps

Read More
1269 Words | 6 Pages

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).

Read More
1386 Words | 6 Pages

His words would become his only proof.” That means that Cole won’t lie anymore and that means he learned his lesson. Also on page 102 the book says “‘I am okay, Cole succeeded in grunting weakly. A thin smile failed to hide Garvey’s concern. “‘Half your bones are busted, your body is swollen like one huge mosquito bite, and you’re nearly starved to death.

Read More
515 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
483 Words | 2 Pages

When Cole Matthews was given banishment, he had many opportunities to reflect on his numerous crimes, and his behavior. As the chapters are progressed it is clear that Cole does not treat banishment for its actual reason. Banishment was for Cole to realize his actions and how he could make up for them. Cole wanted to take banishment as a subsitide for jail, because he didn’t want to be incarcerated. Cole’s constant negative attitude, discouraging behavior, and actions got the best out of him.

Read More
65 Words | 1 Pages

The quote talks about Cole getting last chances because he would get last chances. Because his dad payed the fine to get him out of jail. Or he would get lucky and not be sent to juvenile. He always get last chances but he now only has his last chance or he will be sent to prison. That is why he always got last chances.

Read More
653 Words | 3 Pages

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

Read More

More about Touching Spirit Bear Essay

Related Topics

Open Document