(Author’s Note: This piece is an evaluation towards the meaning of a quote in the book Touching Spirit Bear.)
Cole Mathews has always looked down on the world. A boy who never cared; a boy who wished he didn’t live; finally got close to his wish. After he was mauled by a bear, he complained about the world, and how it was totally unfair in every way. He wanted to live then, but once he took time to think, he relaxed and let his life be taken away. But that isn’t what matters right now. What does matter is what he thought.
A quote straight from the story is one that is in the upmost importance because it shows Cole’s true feelings toward himself. “What did it matter anymore if he died? Nobody else cared about him, so why should he care about himself?” ==>page 74. This really is what Cole thinks about himself; a lowlife that doesn’t have a reason to exist. After all of trouble he has caused too.
What trouble though? A robbery, bullying, etc… his most recent crime led him into isolation on a remote island in southern Alaska. This is where his life changing experience took place. The mauling, the seemingly last few breaths, all made him change. Of course that is a sure sign of a dynamic character, but to others in the story, he is still a stubborn good-for-nothing.
This is such an important message that can completely change your opinion on Cole. He really does think lowly of himself, and for no reason that you would think. It shows that you shouldn’t judge people before hand.
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