Character Traits
Does Cole actually want to change when he is banished to the island?
No, he has no plans to change.
What are the things in Touching Spirit Bear that make up the exposition
Setting: Minnesota and Alaska
Characters: Cole, Edwin, Garvey, Peter, Cole's parents, Nathaniel Blackwood
Events: Cole robs a store, Cole beats up Peter, Cole goes to jail, Cole's dad beats him
Why is Cole Matthews banished to live alone on an island in Southeast Alaska for one year?
Cole robbed a store and beat up Peter for telling on him.
The bear returns in Chapter 12 and hovers closely over Cole. How does this encounter differ from the previous one?
Instead of spitting at the bear, Cole gently reaches for it, just to feel its fur. In that moment, they connect and trust each other.
What is Circle Justice?
A form of justice that practices healing, not punishment.
According to Edwin, can a person ever completely stop being angry?
Anger is something that will always be there. A person can only change how he reacts to his anger.
When Cole decides he wants to live, what must he do to survive?
D. Cole forages for food. He drinks muddy water and eats grass, worms, bugs, a mouse, and fish chunks from his own vomit.
When Cole first sees the Spirit Bear, what about the bear angers Cole?
The bear looks at Cole without fear, which angers Cole.
When he sees the Spirit Bear standing twenty feet away, what does Cole do, and what does this act symbolize?
Cole spits at the bear as a symbol of all that he hates about his life.
Will Cole be free after serving his year on the island?
Not necessarily. Cole will appear again before Circle Justice to prove he has changed. He might still have to serve jail time.
How does Cole describe his parents near the beginning of the story?
Dad: a drinker with a temper
Mom: someone who never fights back or stands up to anyone.
What events occur in TSB that make up the rising action?
Cole robbed a store, Cole beat up Peter, Cole goes to jail, Garvey suggests Circle Justice for healing, we find out more about his parents, and more.
Why does Cole hate the Spirit Bear?
It does not fear Cole
When Cole first sees the Spirit Bear, what about the bear angers Cole?
The bear stands and looks at Cole without fear, which makes Cole angry.
What is the purpose of the feather in Circle Justice?
It symbolizes respect and responsibility. Only those who hold the feather are allowed to speak.
After the storm, what does Cole call out to the baby birds that had been in the tree?
"Are you okay?"
After the lightning hits the spruce tree during the storm, what does Cole realize?
He has always weak and has been silly to try and control the things around him.
Garvey apologizes to Cole for "getting you into this," and Cole responds, "My fault!" What is the significance of this statement?
For the first time, Cole is taking responsibility for his own actions.
Why does Cole attack the Spirit Bear?
Cole had vowed to kill it, and he will do that when he sees the bear the second time.
According to the Keeper, why does normal justice often fail?
It seeks to punish, not heal.
What is the meaning behind Garvey's bringing cake ingredients to Cole's jail cell?
The ingredients by themselves taste gross (to represent Cole's life), but together they can form a whole cake (or a better life), it just depends on how you make it.
Cole is near-death from his injuries, exposure, and lack of food and water. What happens that saves his life?
Edwin and Garvey arrive just in time to take Cole off the island and get him medical care.
The death of the baby birds makes Cole question the meaning of life. What do his thoughts lead him to realize?
Cole realizes that to be alive is to have choice, and the power to choose is real power.
After the Spirit Bear mauls Cole, what do the seagulls do, and how does Cole respond?
The gulls fight over bits of his torn flesh. He tries to shoo them away with his one good arm.
Does Circle Justice work?
Yes, if the person truly wants to change and not resort to punishment right away. It only works if the prson listens to those he/she has hurt and take responsibility for those actions.