Summary And Analysis Of The Novel Touching Spirit Bear

Ben Mikaelsen’s touching novel Touching Spirit Bear centers on Cole Matthews’ life-changing experiences. Cole’s 1 year exile from Minneapolis to an isolated island transformed him from a tense teenager who likes to beat up others into someone who is able to understand the power of choice and life. Cole’s actions influence readers in multiple ways. He shows that anyone can make a change if they choose the right path and that everyone is healing. Cole is able to be seen as a person who has changed by following his path.

Cole Matthews appears to be a totally different person at the beginning than he does at the end. Cole is a physically abused teenager who is filled with rage and expects others to fear his father. He feels that he is supposed to be obeyed because he was raised this way. He is able to show his superiority in many ways. He is adamant that he has no other outlet than to hurt others, both mentally and physically. According to his perspective, he’s the one everyone should fear. His attitude toward bullying others is clear. He has a ‘casual’ hobby of injuring others. The novel shows that he does not feel guilty about hurting others. Cole had picked Peter Drsical off many times in ninth grade just for laughs. Cole Mattews wasn’t the only one who ratted at him. He met Peter that day in the school hallway. He told the red-haired, skinny boy, “You’re dead man,” and gave him an aggressive push. He laughed when Peter saw fear. Cole feels a certain satisfaction in knowing that other people are going through the same pain he was experiencing at home. Cole Matthews is a painstaking torturer for others, but later he is forced to be a victim. He begins to see the value of life, and slowly, transforms into someone better. Cole’s arrival on the Island is short. He is attacked and killed by the Spirit Bear. Cole discovers the joy of living and the power of choice. Cole realizes how much life has cost him. He starts to wonder if Cole will be able to live to see his family again in Minneapolis. Cole thought of a strange thing: The world is beautiful. The world was indeed beautiful. He was awestruck by the beauty of the crushed grass and wet moss near his hand. He was astonished at the beautiful patterns and wondered how he could have missed them all before. What beauty had he missed in his life? “Chapter 12: How many beauty had they destroyed?” He knows that not all things are worth going through and that it’s not fair for others to suffer. This is where readers see Cole as a real person. He has a heart and is not afraid to make others fear him. Cole came to the island initially to avoid jail. But he realizes later that he must fix himself and help others.

Cole Matthews is now an older man. He recognizes that everyone who was affected by the healing process must also heal. Cole recognizes that Peter needs him to heal. Peter then attacks Cole and beats Cole. Cole comforts Peter when Peter falls apart. Cole gives Peter the opportunity to explain all he learned to Peter, and Peter takes out his frustrations on Cole.

“Cole was unable to contain his tears. “I’m part in a huge circle that doesn’t make sense to me. You are also part of that big circle. All things are part of the same circle, including death, life and good. I also hurt you when I hurt you. Peter, I am sorry for what I did to your. I doubt that I will ever be able to heal. I truly regret. Peter fell to the ground, his head bent forward, and he began to cry. Cole didn’t know what to do but wrap his arms around Peter and wrap his arms around his shoulders. Cole, not knowing what else to do, wrapped his arms around Peter and then leaned in towards him.

Cole explains everything to Peter

He officially apologizes for the actions he made. Cole and Peter share their pain and forgiveness, which helps them both see the power of choice, as well as healing. At this point, readers can understand Cole as a young person who is able to accept his mistakes. Cole is aware that what Peter did was wrong. Peter also knows Cole’s entire story. The two of them forgive each other.

Cole Matthews shows that people can transform from being angry to being able to manage their anger and control it. Cole Matthews is a young teenager who is full of anger and doesn’t know what to do about it. He shows empathy towards other animals by the middle. He sees beauty in life and decides to appreciate it, rather than destroy it. At the end, he transforms into someone who knows how to heal and can help others. Cole Matthews has become a dynamic character. He is no longer an angry, physically abused teenager. Lessons are learned that help readers cope with emotions. Readers may learn that emotions are not something they can completely remove from their minds. They have two options: they can control their emotions or hide them well. This novel also reveals another truth: When helping yourself recover, the first step is to heal everyone who was affected.

Author

  • stanleybyrne

    Stanley Byrne is a 26-year-old education blogger and teacher. He has degrees in education and political science from the University of Notre Dame and has worked in various teaching and research positions since he graduated in 2014. He is the author of a number of educational blog posts and has written for Huffington Post, The Guardian, and Salon.