Observation

1.) My first observation was Cole's attitude towards the entire situation. His anger towards his parents clouded his every thought so, he took it out on every and anyone who came in his way. Cole felt that he didn't need anyone in his life, all he needed were people being scared of him, that way they wouldn't get involved in his life. He practically raised himself. Cole felt that everything he did was someone else's fault; he never did anything wrong. He blamed Peter for calling the police and telling them about his robbery and putting him in court again; his parents for not bailing him out of jail when he beat up Peter for calling the cops; Garvey and Edwin for butting into his life and helping.

This shows that in the beginning of the book Cole is portrayed as a selfish prat. He cares for no one because no one cares for him, and he doesn't give anyone the chance to care for him either. It shows that Cole thrives on someone being scared of him, that way he's sure that no one will try to get close to him. I think that Cole isn't exactly selfish, he's just scared of getting hurt; scared to get close to anyone in case he gets hurt like how his family has hurt hi his entire life.


2.) My second observation is the Spirit Bear. It seems that the Spirit Bear only shows up when Cole is at peace with himself or "invisible" and only acts when it feels threatened. I think that just means the Spirit Bear represents the goodness in people. It only shows up when you're in peace and serenity, meaning you are in no position to cause harm or you have a clear mind with no intention to cause harm. It only acts when it feels threatened, Cole attacked the Spirit Bear so it attacked him, there was no need to get hurt because a kid with anger issues wanted to kill. I wasn't as if Cole had a good reason to kill the bear other than that it was staring at him.

I think that was why the bear attacked. Cole couldn't give a good reason for his violence so the bear saw no reason to spare him. When Cole got over his anger the Spirit Bear showed itself to him. That just makes me think that the Spirit Bear was just karma in a weird way.


3.) My third observation is how Circle of Justice has changed Cole. In the beginning of the book, as mentioned in observation 1, Cole is portrayed as a selfish prat. By the end of the book Cole has learned how to deal with his anger, how not to blame others for his problems and most importantly he has learned to forgive.

What this observation is saying is that a little time alone is good but you also have to learn to have friends, communicate and enjoy yourself. When Cole was on thee island alone, yes he learned things about himself, yes he learned to be at peace, sure he dance the dance of anger but he was lonely. He was thrilled when Edwin visited regularly even if he didn't say much it was some sort of company. Circle of Justice gave him an alternative to jail, the island, and it helped him immensely.

Cole invited Peter Driscal on the island and apologized, the old Cole would have just laughed at the situation and try everything to get Peter even more scared of him. He didn't fight back when Peter was hitting him, he just told him to stop. The old Cole was all about violence, I think that passage showed how drastically Cole had transformed.

Quote

Then Peter started kicking him. To Cole it felt as if a sledgehammer was striking his chest and arms. He rolled away, but the next kick caught him in the face and slammed his head back. He tasted blood. The world spun in lazy circles. The hammer kept hitting. "Stop!" Cole gasped. "Please stop!"

"Then fight you coward!" Peter screamed like a madman.

"I'm not going to fight you," Cole shouted as the next angry kicks to his stomach took his breath away. Then the kicking stopped. Cole opened his eyes in time to see Peter sink to his knees next to him crying. Peter's body shook with great hiccuping sobs.

Questions

1.) Cole made a good choice for a bad reason; choosing Circle of Justice over jail. If Cole had known the what was going to happen his first stay on the island do you think he would have chosen jail?

Ans. I think Cole would have still chosen Circle of Justice. In the beginning of the book Cole feels like no one can take him down, he's the hot shot. Cole said if he saw the Spirit Bear he would kill it. If Cole knew what was going to happen on his first stay on the island that would just make him more determined. He would get the bear before it got him.

Follow Up. Then if Cole was so driven and determined to get the Spirit Bear first wouldn't that have ultimately led to his defeat?

2.) Cole had stated, not aloud but subconsciously, that he didn't need any help. what he needed was for the world to butt out. Do you think that the Spirit Bear was just karma coming back at him? That Cole deserved ever bit of what he got from the Spirit Bear due to all the trouble he caused?

Ans. I do think the Spirit Bear was karma. Cole needed to be set straight, he needed to know what it was like to be at the other end of a beating. I do think he deserved what happened to him that day. Sure he was severely injured but Peter Driscal now had slurred speech and a limp in his walk. Cole would heal but Peter would forever stay that way.

Follow Up. If the Spirit Bear was just there to set Cole in the right direction then why did it only show up when Cole was at peace with himself?

3.) Why do you think Cole accepted his mother so quickly when she gave up drinking and testified against his father?

Ans. I think Cole accepted his mother as quickly as he did because all his life all he had wanted was for his parents to accept him. His mother had given up drinking, something she always did to avoid reality, to finally give his father what he deserved.

Follow Up. If so, do you think that Cole would forgive his father if he apologized for becoming a drunk monster and beating him?

Clarification

Cole Matthews life was one big mess. He was abused and ignored by his mother and father. When things in his life seemed like it couldn't get any worse Cole takes out his anger on a boy named Peter Driscal because he told the police about Cole's robbery. This puts Cole in a whole heap of trouble; either trial as an adult or join Circle of Justice to avoid jail. Easy choice right? Wrong! Circle of Justice causes Cole to be sent to a deserted island alone for a year with a Spirit Bear that practically kills him. Could things get any worse? Don't talk out loud you might jinx it!


"Each time he got in trouble, he was waned to shape up because this was his last chance. Even the day he left for the island, several of those who gathered to see him off, including his parents, had warned him, "Don't screw up. This is you last chance." Cole braced himself for the next big wave. Whatever happened, he could count on having one more last chance."
Touching Spirit Bear, By: Ben Mikaelsen

1: It seemed that Cole had no intention of being successful, he always depended on getting another chance when he screwed up. He relished in the thought of never actually getting in trouble because as soon as he was off the hook they gave him another chance. He felt that as long as he kept on getting last chances, he would be invincible. You can't be successful if you keep on depending on another chance every time you do something wrong.

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"Edwin looked out across the bay and drew in a deep breath. "Years ago, I was brought here myself when my spirit got lost. This is a good place to fine yourself."
"This place sucks!" Cold mumbled. Edwin pulled out a key and turned Cole roughly around to remove his handcuffs. "Anger keeps you lost," he said, as he started back toward the shelter. "You can find yourself here, but only if you search."

Touching Spirit Bear, By: Ben Mikaelsen

2: Cole's anger decided for him. His mind was so clouded with anger that he couldn't think straight. In this passage Edwin points this out to him. Cole didn't choose to be angry all the time but he did nothing to keep his anger in order either. If he ever wanted to be successful he would need a clear mind. You can't have a clear mind if its clouded with negativity 24/7.

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"I danced the dance of anger," Cole announced during Edwin's next visit. Edwin glanced at him. "What did you learn?" "To forgive," Cole said. "Being angry is giving someone else control of my feelings so they own me. Forgiving gives me control again."

Touching Spirit Bear, By: Ben Mikaelsen

3: Forgiving is not forgetting, as mentioned previously in the book. Cole learns to forgive instead of blaming everyone-but himself-for his problems. Success isn't something you get overnight. You need to forgive and look passed that to be successful. You can't wallow in self pity, Cole learned that. His choice to forgive made him open a whole new path for himself. He was now on the path of success

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"Cole smiled and nodded. "I'm a slow learner. But I'm working on it."

Touching Spirit Bear, By: Ben Mikaelsen

4: This line tells how much Cole has grown. Before Cole would never admit anything, not even being a slow learner. Now that he has done his job in being successful he is. Peter had forgiven him, he had learned to forgive and stop blaming others. It was his choice to help Peter, not because he felt guilty (although that was part of it), but because he wanted to be successful in life. He wanted to make something of himself and to say he was successful would be and understatement.