...“The kids who need the most love will always ask for it in the most unloving ways” -Russell Barkley. Statistics prove that one in five people have some sort of anger management problem, and less than one-third of people seek help, but in the story “Touching Spirit Bear” by Ben Mikaelsen that isn’t the case. In just the first couples pages of the book I learned about a teenager that goes by the name of Cole Matthews, Cole is a troublemaker, he will do whatever he can to make sure he gets what he wants and to make sure that people fear him. Cole had been getting in trouble for years but this time he crossed the line, he had been bragging about how he broke into somewhere at school then he got ratted out by a small scrawny boy named Peter Driscal, this furiated cole so he decided to take matters into his own hands and he wanted revenge.. He waited for Peter in the parking lot and cornered him, Cole attacked him! First he started hitting him extremely hard in the face he hit him until he was gushing blood, but that wasn’t...
Words: 1654 - Pages: 7
...Have you ever felt close to a certain animal, as if you share the same traits? I share the traits of a lot of animals, and was hard pressed to narrow it down to four. In Language Arts class, we did a novel study on the book Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. In this novel, the main character is on an island and was told to carve a totem of his spirit animals. We, too, were forced to create a totem. So, I decided to use the four animals that represent my life. My past is most accurately represented by a swallow. My present is represented evenly by a cat and a raven. My future will likely be represented by a wolf. After careful consideration, I believe that my life is most represented by a swallow, a cat, a raven, and a wolf. My past is a mix of play and serious work, which reminded...
Words: 707 - Pages: 3
...Essay When you just start to read the touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen and watch the movie gridiron gang based on sean porter a counselor at a juvenile detention center. You may not see too many similarities at first glance. But as you start to really think about it there are tons of similarities if u think about it both cole and the kids in the movie are juvenile delinquents. So know let's take a look at these similarities In the touching spirit bear there were two elders that were very important named edwin and garvey. Similar to the gridiron gang. Because in the gridiron gang there were Also two very important people named sean porter and dwayne johnson. All these people were important because they helped these kids be back...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...giving forgiveness and gaining it requires an effort from both sides to be made in order for the emotional healing process to begin. The concept of forgiveness is shown in many areas throughout the book, Touching Spirit Bear. There are a couple different instances in the story where one of the characters, recognizes how they’ve impacted another character, whether it be they were affected physically or emotionally. Some characters in the book tried fixing their problems and gaining that forgiveness, but others walked away from it as if it could be forgotten. The author built up...
Words: 1400 - Pages: 6
...In the novel "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen, one of the main characters is Cole Matthews. Cole is a 15-year-old boy from Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, unlike most 15-year-olds, Cole has been in trouble with the law for most of his life. Throughout the plot, Cole goes through several dramatic changes. As the plot unfolds, it reveals how Cole thinks, looks like, sounds like, what Cole does, and how others think of him. These are the five elements that define characterization and describe Cole as a character. First, one way of characterizing Cole is by describing how he thinks. At the beginning of the story, Cole has a negative attitude toward the people around him. He thinks that he is this tough guy and that no one can stand up to him. Cole is blinded by his emotions, rather than thinkings things out thoroughly. An example of this is when he attacked the Spirit Bear purely out of hatred and seeing that the bear wasn't afraid of him. This ends up getting him nearly killed! Up until...
Words: 1018 - Pages: 5
...I’ve been called to decide the cast for the movie of Touching Spirit Bear. To do this I’ve watched multiple auditions and had to pick the best ones. Everyone who auditioned gave a great effort but I’ve finally decided who got the lead roles. For the character playing Cole Matthews I’ve chosen a teenager named Bran from the book House On The Gulf . I think Bran and Cole are very much alike. The two guys are sneaky and regretful of their mistakes. Both characters have made mistakes that had a huge impact on their life. But both characters eventually made things right again. For example Cole told Peter, “‘I’ll do anything to help you and make things right’” (Mikaelsen, 235). And since Bran illegally lived in another family’s house, he had to work out a deal and make things right so he wouldn’t end up in jail....
Words: 527 - Pages: 3
...“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one” by Benjamin Franklin. In the fictional novel Touching Spirit Bear, written by Ben Mikaelsen, one of the characters choices and consequences of those decisions impact how Cole had developed. Edwin decision to help him by showing him everything isn't always about him helped him heal and he also learned to learn from his mistakes .Edwin made decision to show him that everything isn't always about him.Another decision Edwin made was to help Cole learn from past mistakes not only by him. Edwin’s decision to show Cole that everything isn't always about him helped him heal. In the article it states that “ ‘I danced...
Words: 361 - Pages: 2
...Recently I have finished a novel written by an award winning author named Ben Mikaelsen. In his novel “Touching Spirit Bear” it describes a journey of a juvenile boy who committed a felony. For his punishment he was banished to an Alaskan Island so he was unable to hurt but himself. On the island our main protagonist heals and changes by carving a totem pole. Therefore, I was assigned to create a totem pole to unravel my life with you today. First of all, I've chosen a camel to represent my early years. According to Kathy Weiser Alexander, camels are to known have endured from the harsh environments and actions they have a face. Like a camel I too had endured as an infant. Aside of minor injuries, I dealt with major injuries as well, such as getting impaled by glass shards and breaking my skull. But even after all those incidents I am alive and well. Camels also have the symbol of positivity. As I stayed positive through all of my procedures or better known as surgeries from my mistakes. This was why I chose a camel I represent my infant years....
Words: 529 - Pages: 3
...There are many similarities in both Touching Spirit Bear and Devil’s Arithmetic but let's just focus on the similarities There are many similarities in both books Like the characters The character Cole ( Touching Spirit Bear) and Hannah/Chaya ( Devil’s Arithmetic) One of the similarities is that in both characters Chaya and Cole are faced with life or death situations. Cole is faced with a life or death situation when he fights the Spirit Bear and is nearly killed by it but survives. Chaya faces a life or death situation when she sneaks out with Griddle and is nearly caught by the Nazi soldiers. Both characters were sent somewhere they didn't want to be. Cole in Touching Spirit Bear is sent to an island in Alaska, where he must stay...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...Name Isaiah Wiggin Teacher Mrs. Feller Class ELA Date Literary Analysis of Touching Spirit Bear and The Devil’s Arithmetic “ Often those that criticise others reveal what he himself lacks” said Shannon Alder. Often strong inter conflicts lead into deeper inner conflicts. “Touching Spirit Bear” and “Devil's Arithmetic” have similar conflicts they separate when the conflicts lead into the deep inner conflicts. They both face disapproval from people they love. In “Touching Spirit Bear” Cole faces disapproval from his father and his father abuses him and isnt close with him cole says “ … I bet my dad can’t tell you when my birthday is.”.This proves his father isnt close with him. In “Devil’s Arithmetic” Chaya faces disapproval from her Grandpa...
Words: 294 - Pages: 2
...Touching Spirit Bear Summary and Analysis There are many aspects of the Touching Spirit Bear novel that highly correlate with the subject we are learning about the psychological developments of adolescents. Along with the readings completed in class, there is a lot of valuable insight that has been brought forth and can be interpreted as essential for obtaining a better understanding. The story begins somewhat in the center of the action, with Cole on the island as a result of the decision made by the circle. A troubled kid, this is his last chance before being sentenced as an adult for the past transgressions that he has committed. On the island, he is told about a “spirit bear” which from a psychological standpoint can be viewed as an animal representation of Cole, and forebodingly suggests the possibility of a future interaction with the animal. We begin to learn a little more about Cole in the subsequent chapters, as he attempts to escape the island and begins to have flashbacks to how he arrived there in the first place. His vicious attack of Peter has left him with very few options, one of which is being sent to Alaska to participate in the various “circles” which ultimately should help to decide if he is going to change, or if the path of prison is the right one for him. He facetiously feigns remorse in order to get to go to the island. Once there, he resists the whole idea and plans to escape. This is where we begin to understand Cole as a more complex character...
Words: 782 - Pages: 4
...shaina The 9/11 memorial has received different visitors from the entire world and the 50 states of United States since its creation ranging from dignitaries to the meek in the society. It provides a sense of serenity, and reflection to those who understand its deep symbolic meaning. It is situated at the location of the former World Trade Center, and sits on 8 acres of land. The Memorial comprises of two big waterfalls and pools that provide reflection, with each waterfall occupying an acre. The pools are set at the original Twin Towers footprints. The 9/11 Memorial has been described as “one of the most eco-friendly plazas ever constructed”. The memorial was designed to provide a sense of revival and spirit of hope creating a contemplative social space that is separated from the ordinary scenes and noise of the busy New York City. The White Oak trees surrounding the memorial, aesthetically provide a canopy through it rustling leaves. Blair,...
Words: 1708 - Pages: 7
...About Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe's college work sharpened his interest in indigenous Nigerian cultures. He had grown up in Ogidi, a large village in Nigeria. His father taught at the missionary school, and Achebe witnessed firsthand the complex mix of benefit and catastrophe that the Christian religion had brought to the Igbo people. In the 1950s, an exciting new literary movement grew in strength. Drawing on indigenous Nigerian oral traditions, this movement enriched European literary forms in hopes of creating a new literature, in English but unmistakably African. Published in 1958, Things Fall Apart is one of the masterpieces of 20th century African fiction. Things Fall Apart is set in the 1890s, during the coming of the white man to Nigeria. In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages. The attitudes present in colonial literature are so ingrained into our perception of Africa that the District Commissioner, who appears at the end of the novel, strikes a chord of familiarity with most readers. He is arrogant, dismissive of African "savages," and totally ignorant of the complexity and richness of Igbo life. Yet his attitude echoes so much of the depiction of Africa; this attitude, following Achebe's depiction of the Igbo, seems hollow and savage. Digression is one of Achebe's most important tools. Although the novel's central story is the tragedy of Okonkwo...
Words: 12560 - Pages: 51
...Paradise Lost By John Milton The Book note Table of Contents Introduction Cast of Characters Plot Summary An Analysis of Major Characters Satan Adam Eve Chapter Summary and Analysis Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5 and 6 Book 7 Book 8 and 9 Book 10 Book 11 and 12 Symbols and Themes Quotes The Quiz Introduction John Milton was born in London on December 9, 1608. He was the son of a successful Protestant merchant, and was provided with an excellent education that included the opportunity to travel widely throughout Europe. He was fluent in a number of classical as well as modern languages, including Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Aramaic, Spanish, Italian, French and Dutch. In 1625, he began his attendance at Cambridge University with the intention of becoming a clergyman in the Church of England, but was disillusioned by what he considered the arrogance and ignorance of his fellow students. He decided that his true calling was to serve God and his country as an author and poet. Inspired by Roman poets of antiquity, and particularly Virgil, Milton aspired to create a great epic poem in the English language. He considered two other distinctly British topics for his epic—the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and the military exploits of the general Oliver Cromwell—before settling on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and their fall from God’s grace through disobedience. Milton was politically active throughout his life, and was outspoken...
Words: 15072 - Pages: 61
...07/10/12 Karla Roman Ms karigian “of mice and men” book summary The novel opens with two men, George Milton and Lennie Small, walking to a nearby ranch where harvesting jobs are available. George, the smaller man, leads the way and makes the decisions for Lennie, a mentally handicapped giant. They stop at a stream for the evening, deciding to go to the ranch in the morning. Lennie, who loves to pet anything soft, has a dead mouse in his pocket. George takes the mouse away from Lennie and reminds him of the trouble Lennie got into in the last town they were in — he touched a girl's soft dress. George then reminds Lennie not to speak to anyone in the morning when they get to the ranch and cautions Lennie to return to this place by the river if anything bad happens at the ranch. When he has to take the dead mouse away from Lennie a second time, George chafes at the hardship of taking care of Lennie. After calming his anger, George relents and promises Lennie they will try to find him a puppy; then he tells Lennie about their dream of having a little farm where they can be their own boss and nobody can tell them what to do, where Lennie will tend their rabbits, and where they will "live off the fatta the lan'." Lennie has heard this story so often he can repeat it by heart. And George emphasizes that this dream and their relationship make them different from other guys who don't have anyone or a place of their own. They settle down and sleep for the night. The...
Words: 3813 - Pages: 16
