Touching Spirit Bear Part I

Why is Cole Matthews banished to live alone on an island in Southeast Alaska for one year?

• Cole is banished to the island for his own protection. Peter Driscal has vowed to get revenge.

• Because Cole is a Tlingit Indian, court officials are allowing the Native American method of justice.

• Cole abuses drugs and alcohol. Banishment is an effective way to help him stop.

• Cole robbed a store and nearly beat Peter Driscal to death. Banishment is the only alternative to jail.

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What does Cole learn from “being referred” repeatedly, while being told each time that it is his “last chance”?

• Cole learns that there are many agencies available to help him, but they need more well-trained staff to be effective.

• Cole learns that it is the adult term for passing the buck and that he can always count on having one more “last chance.”

• Cole learns that one must keep trying. No matter how many times he fails, he has to resolve his own problems.

• Cole learns that there is no solution for his problems, and no one takes the responsibility of telling him so.

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How does Cole describe his parents near the beginning of the story?

• Cole describes his mom as “a scared Barbie doll, always looking good but never fighting back or standing up to anyone.” He calls his dad “a bullheaded drinker with a temper.”

• Cole describes his mom as “a wimpy alcoholic” who occasionally beats him. His dad is “equally as wimpy” and beats him worse than his mom does.

• Cole describes his mom as “just like a Barbie doll, beautiful with a seemingly perfect life.” He says his dad “is [his] mom’s Ken. He is not very bright but a good man at heart.”

• Cole describes his mom as “a strong, smart, and beautiful woman” and says it is a shame that she married such “a temperamental man who abuses her.”

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Cole has a habit of blaming others for his mistakes. Which of the following is an example of this behavior from the text?

• Cole tells Edwin “everything is determined by fate anyway, so no one really makes his own choices in life.”

• Cole says Garvey is responsible for “getting [him] stuck on this lousy island.”

• Cole believes that if Peter had learned to fight back, he wouldn’t have been hurt so badly.

• Cole believes that his mother’s abusiveness toward him makes him want to lash out at others.

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What is Circle Justice?

• Circle Justice focuses on healing through group discussions and therapy with a trained group leader called a “Keeper.”

• Circle Justice is the Native American term for “justice as nature would have it.” It focuses on punishment through natural consequences.

• Circle Justice is a method of punishment that involves physical hardship and pain as a means of revenge.

• Circle Justice is a form of justice practiced by native cultures for thousands of years. It focuses on healing, not punishment.

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What is a Spirit Bear?

• A Spirit Bear is a special black bear that lives off the coast of British Columbia. It is pure white and represents pride, dignity, and honor.

• A Spirit Bear is a polar bear that has wandered far from its natural territory. It is led by “spirits” to places where it is needed.

• A Spirit Bear is a Native American metaphor for one’s own soul. If one meditates long enough, the true self will appear.

• A Spirit Bear is a white bear that does not really exist; people see it during times of crisis when they need guidance.

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What does Edwin mean when he says, “You live or die by your actions”?

• It is a warning to ration his food supplies; if he doesn’t, he might starve to death before Edwin returns.

• Whatever happens to Cole will be a result of his own actions; he will no longer be able to blame others.

• No one will interfere with Cole’s decisions; if he makes a bad decision, no one will stop him.

• If Cole gets himself into a life-threatening situation, he can’t depend on anyone else to save him.

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Cole is very good at manipulation. Which of the following is an example from Chapter 2 that shows how Cole manipulates people?

• Cole lies to the committee members when he says, “Hurting Peter made me think a lot...if I could change places with him, I would.”

• Cole assures Garvey that he will certainly make the best of the situation and do all he can to make everyone proud of him.

• Cole tries to divide Garvey and Edwin by telling each of them lies concerning what one says about the other.

• While in jail, Cole pretends to be the model student, but he actually pays another inmate to do his schoolwork for him.

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When Garvey asks Cole what he doesn’t like about his life, Cole’s answers reveal that his parents are abusive and neglectful. Which of the following is NOT an example of his parents’ behavior?

• Cole’s father beats him and is verbally abusive.

• Cole’s mother mocks and berates him.

• They drink too much.

• They show no interest in him or his school activities.

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Why does Garvey bring groceries to Cole’s cell?

• Garvey knows that the food at the jail is terrible, and he wants to be nice to Cole by bringing him something else to eat.

• He wants to show Cole how life is like a cake; some ingredients taste good and some do not, but together they form a whole cake.

• Garvey knows that the best way to tame an animal is to feed it to build trust, and he believes the method will work with Cole.

• Garvey is trying to bribe Cole into forming a friendship with him to build trust between them.

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