Questions on Touching Spirit Bear
Animals and nature greatly impact the experience of Cole in healing while he was still on the island. Remarks on symbolism and themes evolve from a variety of encounters in nature.
Question 1: What are the symbols that students should pick when writing an essay about Touching Spirit Bear?
When writing the essay, the student should pick three main symbols and among them are the seagull, Spirit Bear, the beaver, the wolf, the pond, the rock and explain what they represent. The key to an ideal response is first to explain the symbolic message found behind them. Most of the time, Cole states the explanation in the paragraph. Although, the best answers will connect the three symbols together and demonstrate their evolution over time and this shows a deeper level of analysis. By formulating questions, readers are given better insights on the novel.
Question 2: What is the relationship of Cole with his family, country and community because it affects his actions and decisions in the story?
Cole’s relationship with his family was not positive because he had an abusive father and her mother drinks because of sadness.
Question 3: How did Cole’s anger influence him?
His anger forced him to break into a story and he was given Circle Justice as an intervention instead of being sent to jail.
Question 4: Did Cole have a perception of Circle Justice?
During this time last year, he did was not even aware of Circle Justice and he did not know about it until his arrest for breaking into a store.
Question 5: What does the phrase “to touch the Spirit Bear” mean?
A good answer is going to give the detail of the whole process of how the Spirit Bear attacked Cole and that he was physically hurt and humbled.
Question 6: Touching the Spirit Bear is an interpretation of what?
The manner of touching the Spirit Bear physically can have several interpretations, as long as it can be defended properly. It can serve as a symbol of forgiveness in enemies, the connection between man and nature, and the search for healing and life meaning. Although, good answers will relate the literal and figurative meanings with a good argument.
Question 7: How does the author use flashbacks and third-person narration to affect the character, mood and setting of the novel’s development?
Your answer should be supported with specific answers. For this question to be answered, the student has to take a step back and study the techniques used by the author to develop a plot. An ideal answer is going to initially define the terms in the question and certain examples have to be used to show the mood and suspense from flashbacks.
Question 8: What kind of approach can be done to analyze the Circle Justice?
Good answers will analyze the placing of Cole’s mindset in different points to help them understand the Circle Justice, and main aspects of the novel.
Question 9: Why is the Circle of Justice important in Touching the Spirit Bear story?
This is an alternative prison and it is meant to heal instead of it being a punishment. The Circle Justice in the book is based on a kind of justice done by cultures of Native Americans for a thousand years. Although, it is not only confined in the culture of Americans and Indians. The objective is to take some responsibility for the person’s act. They are supposed to rehabilitate the person instead of punishing him. Everyone is in the process and this includes their victim.
These are the best essay questions on Touching the Spirit Bear when you want to prove a point to readers.