Due Date/Time: Thursday, February 9th at 11:59pm
1. Always type your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL. Full names will result in a DELETION of the comment and no better than a C grade.
PLEASE CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING
FOR TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR:
A. Write a well developed paragraph on an opinion that you have of the book. Your opinion can be about a plot item, character, theme, or conflict. Be sure to include a topic sentence, details, at least one piece of properly cited evidence from the text, and a concluding sentence.
27 comments:
Max M
If I could ask Cole one question I would ask him: what do you think your life would be like now that you live with your mom and that she stopped drinking? I would ask him this because much of his anger comes from being beaten and having drunk parents. I believe that this would make him muck happier then he was. ‘“Maybe when this is over we can go and start a new life some where.”’ (Coles Mother 144). this quote is after she divorced her husband and quit drinking. Cole also describes his mom as happier and more confident.
Jocelyn T.
If I could choose one character in the book to talk to, it would be Edwin. I would ask him what he did to get banished to the island and why. I would ask him this because he doesn’t explain what happened to him in his youth (yet). Edwin appears to be a smart person who cares about Cole, so I wonder what he was like as a child. “ ‘When I was banished to this island, I came to this pond to get rid of my anger.’” (Mikaelsen 172).
Tyler N.
B: If I could choose one of the characters in the book to ask a question, I would ask Cole if it would be the same if Edwin and Garvey were in his life to give him advice. I would ask him this because without Garvey and Edwin, his anger would not be under control. The Spirit Bear put a stop to it, but Garvey and Edwin help keep it under control by giving Cole advice with cake and its ingredients and even hot dogs! "'That hot dog did exactly what you asked it to do. You asked it to feed you, and it fed you. No more, no less'"(Mikaelsen 164).
Dan S.
If I could choose one of the characters in this book to ask a question, I would ask Garvey why he has such a strong trust in Cole. I would ask this because he trusts him with the a'toow and this is sacred to Garvey and the Tlingits. "Your saying you trust me? If you promise to take care of it I trust you." "(Mikaelsen 21).
Lyn M.
In my opinion, I believe that the theme of this book is quite inspiring. I thought that the message behind this book: forgiveness heals, and anger and revenge can destroy a person, is so true for Cole and anyone. I believe that this theme is influential because, for example, Cole learns there is more to life than revenge, and forgiveness is helping him heal from his anger. Cole is also learning how to accept any problem he faces, which benefits his lessons of truth, love and forgiveness. From my impression, I feel that the theme of this book can teach anyone that we can never forget, but we can always forgive. “ ‘Edwin told me once that anger was a memory never forgotten. He’s right,’ ” (Mikaelsen 155).
Lyn M.
In my opinion, I believe that the theme of this book is quite inspiring. I thought that the message behind this book: forgiveness heals, and anger and revenge can destroy a person, is so true for Cole and anyone. I believe that this theme is influential because, for example, Cole learns there is more to life than revenge, and forgiveness is helping him heal from his anger. Cole is also learning how to accept any problem he faces, which benefits his lessons of truth, love and forgiveness. “ ‘Edwin told me once that anger was a memory never forgotten. He’s right,’ ” (Mikaelsen 155). From my impression, I feel that the theme of this book can teach anyone that we can never forget, but we can always forgive.
Karissa W.
If I could choose on character in the book to ask a question, I would ask Cole if he is afraid of the spirit bear or is he afraid to be on the island all alone. "Are you scared of being here alone with the bear after what happened? Cole shook his head. I'm not scared of the bear, but I am scared of being alone," (Mikaelsen 204).
Noah B
B. If I could ask one character a question, I would ask Peter's parents if they felt that their son got justice for Cole's actions on their son. The reason for asking this question would be because although Cole had to be banished to an island for a year, he never has to face any jail time, so maybe Peter's parents think that this is unfair and he should be locked up. "he was going to spend a whole year of his life living on this remote Alaskan island living like an animal" (Mikaelsen 7).
Audrey C.
If I was to write a question to a character it would be to Garvey. I would ask Garvey how he got over him anger. Edwin was telling Cole about how he got over his anger and I wondered what Garvey’s trick was. Obviously, Garvey had anger problems and was a bad kid like Cole but now he is always so happy and fun, like no one or thing can make him anger enough to lash out.
“‘Why doesn’t Garvey join us?’ Cole argued.
‘Maybe he’s not angry.’“ (Mikaelsen 183).
Matthew P
If I could ask any character a question I would ask Cole how do you think carving this totem pole will help you with your anger. I would ask this becuase he has spent a lot of time on this. " Cole spent the rest of the afternoon carving. At one point a downpour forced him to roll the log close to the cabin." mikaelsen 221
Hannah F.
If I could ask one character from this book a question,I would ask Cole. I would ask Cole if he is fascinated by the Spirit Bear or he thinks it will help him. He try's to stay invisible so the bear will come out so he can see it again after the last visit he had ended with a mauling. " That afternoon, he tried to make himself invisible. He bathed extra well in the cold stream, then put on clean clothes. He even rubbed ashes and sweet cedar boughs over himself to mask any human smell...The shore came gradually alive with seals,seagulls,and eagles, but no bears."(Mikaelsen 221-222)
Carlie M.
If I could ask a character a question I would ask Cole. The question I would ask would be Do you really want to change? I would ask this because Cole does certain things that make it seem he does but he also does things to make it have a twist and seems like he doesn’t want to change. “Do you need you shoes tied too? (Mikaelson 179). This shows that Cole is giving Garvey and Edwin attitude when they tell him to do something.
Tyler H.
If I could ask any character a question from this book it would be Peter. The question I would ask him would be, why did you tell on Cole? I would ask him this because he did not have any right to tell on Cole when he robbed a bank. Peter got a deserved beating. Now Peter's parents and lawyer blame Cole his permanent disability. "Nobody crossed Cole Matthews and got away with it"
(Mikaelsen,8).This shows Cole would never let anyone tell on him without paying a price which Peter should have realized.
Mariana B.
If i could ask any character a question i would ask it to Edwin and Garvey. I would ask them, why they always end up helping Cole out? I would ask this because Cole always ends up betraying them, and they still help him out. I know he is alone, but i wouldn't be able to have that much trust, and careness as they do to Cole since he still thinks about escaping from the island. "He had slept poorly because he had considered making a canoe instead of a totem"(Mikaelsen 216). This shows how he considered it after everything that happened.
Ashley P.
In my opinion the theme of this book is forgiveness. Without forgiveness there would be revenge. Everyone would always try to "get" one another back. Eventually there would be a world full of the Cole we knew at the beginning of the story. Everyone knows an eye for an eye would make the world go blind. Cole had to learn to forgive his father. He understood that his father went through troubles in his life, beating and pain was all he knew. Cole also learned that forgiving is not forgetting. Anger is like an invisible bag that you’re forced to carry around; it all depends on how you carry that bag. “Anger is a memory never forgotten. You can only tame it." ( Mikaelsen 131)
Ryan C.
If I could ask any character any question I would ask Peter what he thought that Cole's bannishment. I would ask this
because I wonder if Peter thinks that Cole had an easy punishment , a harsh punishment , or if his banishment was a good punishment. "I think someone should smash Cole's head against a sidewalk so he knows how it feels." (Mikaelsen 59) This shows that Peter didn't forgive Cole for what he did. I wonder if Peter forgives Cole after he got mauled.
Ashley P.
In my opinion the theme of this book is forgiveness. Without forgiveness there would be revenge. Everyone would always try to "get" one another back. Eventually there would be a world full of the Cole we knew at the beginning of the story. Everyone knows an eye for an eye would make the world go blind. Cole had to learn to forgive his father. He understood that his father went through troubles in his life, beating and pain was all he knew. Cole also learned that forgiving is not forgetting. Anger is like an invisible bag that you’re forced to carry around; it all depends on how you carry that bag. “Anger is a memory never forgotten. You can only tame it." ( Mikaelsen 131) All and all although we can never forget we can most defiantly forgive.
Charlotte R.
If I could ask one character a question it would be Garvey. I would ask him why he wants to help Cole so much after Cole had been a bad sport about it at first. I would ask him this because at first Cole didn't care what he had to do, he just didn't want to go to jail. Also, I would ask this because Cole gave Garvey and Edwin so much attitude and treated them with disrespect."Yeah, sure, whatever you want," (Mikaelson 21).
Briana F.
If i could ask any charater in the book a question I would ask Peter. The question I would ask Peter is if he would ever forgive Cole for what he did to him? I would ask this question because I think in order for Cole and Peter to entirely heal they both need to forgive. Cole needs to forgive himself and Peter needs to forgive Cole one day too."I think someone should smash Cole's head against a sidewalk so he knows how it feels"(Mikaelsen 59).
Victoria B.
If I could ask any character a question it would Cole’s father. The question I would ask is, will he every be able to get himself to make things okay with Cole? I would ask this because in the book Cole has finally forgiven his father and it would only make sense for the two to make up. “I forgive you,” he cried loudly, “I forgive you,”(Mikaelsen 232).
Ryenne L
If i could ask any character a question it would be Peter. The question i would ask him would be, will he ever be able to forgive Cole for what he did you him. I would ask him this because Cole is changing and realizing his mistakes and knows he's messed up. It's not all about him it's about others too. "That you need others, like a wolf back" said Cole (mikaelsen 194)
Matt S.
If I could ask any character in the book a question, I would ask Peter if he is willing to forgive Cole for bashing his body against a sidewalk. Earlier in the book, the text states, “Anger is a memory never forgotten”(Mikaelsen 131). Peter might still be steamed at Cole, but he needs to tame it, and continue with his life, because life is far too short to hold grudges.
Kayla B.
If I could ask any character in the book a question I would ask Peters parents. The question I would ask would be if Peters parents feel the same way there son, Peter feels? I would ask this question because I am curious about their opinion. Are Peters parents disgusted with Cole or are they willing to forgive in time? As being Peters mom and dad, they probably hate seeing him like this. I think they are more mad about what Cole has caused instead of what he has done."Because of you, I have a son now who...... Her voice broke. I have a son who has speech and coordination problems(Mikaelsen58)."
Micaela S.
If I could ask anyone in the book a question, I would ask Cole. I would ask him, what will do you think will happen when you finally see the spirit bear again? I would ask him this because he keeps looking for the bear, but what is going to happen when the bear comes? Cole most likely doesn't know what he will do when the bear comes back. "...I've tried to be invisible. he said. I hide and try not to smell like a human. I've even smeared cedar boughs and ashes all over my body, but I still haven't seen the Spirit Bear again..." (Mikaelsen 224).
Kendra H.
B:If I could ask any character one question it would be Cole. I would ask Cole if he thought he wouldn't be such a bad kid if he had told someone that his dad had beat him. I would ask Cole this because he said that he father beats him because Cole is mad. I believe Cole beats other people up because he is mad about what his father has done to him. Would Cole still think his parents didn't care about him if he had gone and told someone what his father does to him. Would he still think that his mother hates him if she wasn't so scared of Cole's father."They hate me. Do you know what it's like waking up every morning knowing you're not good enough?" (Mikaelsen 31)
Nicholas B.
A: In my opinion, I think that Edwin is a very smart and generous man. When Edwin came with Cole to the island the second time, Edwin shared very valuable information with Cole that he learned himself when he was banished to the island. Edwin told him what he had learned about anger. He told Cole that anger never leaves one, and that instead of trying to get rid of anger, look on the bright side of life and focus on that instead of the anger, and life will be a lot easier. ”That’s because those people still think you can get rid of the left end of the stick” (Mikaelson 175). What Edwin meant by this is that he showed Cole a demonstration where he told Cole to get rid of the left end of a stick, but no matter what, there will always by a left end of a stick, and that it is the same way with anger. Cole told Edwin that the stuff he told him made a lot more sense than what the counselors and psychologists told him, and that’s when Edwin told him that the still think they can get rid of anger. Edwin is very generous for doing this because it has taught Cole many things and has helped Cole a lot with his anger.
Kylie M.
If I could ask any character from Touching Spirit Bear a question, I would ask Peter's lawyer a question. I would ask her if she was just doing her job when she critisized Cole, or did she personally think Cole was that bad of a young boy. I decided to ask this question because, even though she isn't a main role, her words against Cole during the Circle meetings were very strong. Peter's lawyer seems as though she truely despises Cole, but then again she may just be doing her job of prosecuting him. " 'Why don't we just send him away to Disney World for a year?' Peter's lawyer said sarcastically" (Mikaelsen 154).
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