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The Sign of the Beaver

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"Matt stood at the edge of the clearing for some time after his father had gone out of sight among the trees. There was just a chance that his father might turn back, that perhaps he had forgotten something or had some last word of advice. This was one time Matt reckoned he wouldn't mind the advice, no matter how many times he had heard it before. But finally he had to admit that this was not going to happen. His father really had gone. He was alone, with miles of wilderness stretching on every side."

Right from the beginning, The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare grabs my attention with its suspenseful phrasing and promise of adventure. The same lonely, almost fearful feeling that surrounds Matt in this opening paragraph also captures me: I find myself identifying with twelve-year-old Matt as he is left alone in the Maine wilderness to await his father's return. And how long is this wait? Well, it is long enough for Matt to develop some interesting friendships, question his personal views on race and prejudice, and learn to survive independently in a dangerous wilderness barren of modern supplies. Simultaneously, he begins to wonder if his father really will make it back with the rest of the family before the dead of winter.



Matt's adventures begin when he decides to get honey from a tree one morning. Being a strong-willed, brave, and persistent boy, Matt ignores the possibility that his raid might not go well because of the bees; and, unfortunately, the bees do attack. But unknown to Matt, he has been observed by two Indians since his father left many weeks ago. The first is Saknis, a kind but stern Indian Chief of the nearby Beaver Tribe. The second is Saknis' grandson Attean, a boy who hates white men as much as he loves nature and his dog Aremus (Aremus means "dog" in Attean's language). Luckily, Saknis and Attean save Matt from the angry bees. And, in return for their medical assistance, Saknis tells Matt to teach Attean how to read and write:

"'Attean learn,' he said. 'White man come more and more to Indian land. White man not make treaty with pipe. White man make signs on paper, signs Indian not know. Indian put mark on paper to show him friend of white man. Then white man take land. Tell Indian cannot hunt on land. Attean learn to read white man's signs. Attean not give away hunting grounds'" (31).

Matt is surprised by this proposal and Attean glowers, scowls, and stalks away. Yet, both boys know that they must reluctantly do as the influential and powerful Saknis requests. Therefore, a friendship is forced to develop between grumpy Attean, who is disdainful and hateful towards all white men, and puzzled Matt, who does not understand this Indian boy yet wishes for his company. Over many months, Matt and Attean grow close through tramps in the forest, getting attacked by a bear, and a mutual exposure to both of their cultures. It is a slow but sure process by which both boys begin to respect each other's qualities, abilities, and race.



Because of such vivid personality traits displayed by Matt and Attean, Speare makes me feel like Matt and Attean are real, tangible people whom I clearly visualize and understand. It is almost as if their interactions are of an everyday occurrence in 2009 rather than the late 1700s, a time that I can barely comprehend because it is so far away. Because of this connection, my like for each character causes me to appreciate this novel even more. I especially enjoy how Speare develops the friendship between Matt and Attean, since it reveals that people can get along, interact, help each other in times of need, and form friendships despite their differences of race or opinion. Since this theme strongly applies to today's society, where racism and prejudice are rampant, it is encouraging to see conflict resolve between Matt and Attean.



As you might have guessed, The Sign of the Beaver is a historical fiction novel, and it portrays an interesting look into the lives and practices of Indians during the late 1700s and early 1800s. A unique thing about this story, however, is that the characters of Matt and his father, and Attean and his grandfather, are based upon real individuals. While visiting a fishing camp in Maine many years ago, Elizabeth George Speare explored the small town of Milo and found a historical volume entitled The History of Milo. From this account Speare learned that in 1802 a man named Benjamin Sargent and his fourteen-year-old son Theophilus came to Maine to settle. After Benjamin and Theophilus finished building their cabin, Benjamin left to retrieve the rest of their family while Theophilus remained behind to guard the cabin and tend to the garden. When a nearby Indian chief heard that Theophilus was alone and running low on food, he left his son Ateon with Theophilus and provided well for both boys. Obviously, Speare was intrigued by this true account and decided to turn it into a children's novel. While some of the plot turns throughout The Sign of the Beaver are based upon real events, most of this story is filled with creative imaginings of what could have happened to Theophilus and Ateon, whom Speare renamed Matt and Attean.



In most historical fiction stories, the setting is important and heavily influences the plot. In the case of The Sign of the Beaver, it is no different. This story takes place in the far northeast United States which is now known as Maine. During the late 1700s, an influx of European settlers migrated north to expand their colonies, and the territory of the Native Americans was gradually overtaken. Thus, Matt and his family come upon Maine, and Matt is left alone with only words of advice from his father. I found it especially fascinating how the vast wilderness of Maine is so powerful in how it interacts with Matt. At first, Matt is intimidated by the forest and cannot understand it. He feels towards it like he feels towards Attean and his Beaver tribe. And, the forest does not provide for him like it does for Attean:
"[Matt] stopped short at sight of the cabin. The door was swinging open at a crazy angel, one hinge broken. Across the doorsill some white stuff dribbled, like spilled flour...the cabin was a shambles, the stools overturned, the shelf swept bare, the precious molasses keg upside down on the floor and empty...with a sinking heart he realized what had happened. He remembered the thrashing in the underbrush. It had to be a bear" (20).

But, because Matt realizes that his only hope for survival is the advice that Attean has to offer him, Matt accepts the valuable ideas on how to work with, how to respect, and how to gain from the forest in which he lives:

"In a corner leaned the old flour sack, overflowing with nuts he had gathered, hickory and butternut, and even the acorns he had once thought proper food only for squirrels. On the shelf ranged birch baskets filled with dried berries and the wild cranberries he had discovered shining like jewels along the boggy shores of the pond" (120-121).

Here, Matt has finally learned to benefit from nature--to survive in something that used to intimidate and frustrate him. He also has learned to survive next to something that he used to not understand: the Beaver Indians. Towards the end of this novel, Matt snatches up any sort of idea Attean or his family might provide:

"Attean was amused when Matt kept stopping every few feet to watch what the women were doing. Matt was filled with curiosity...there were so many things [he] wanted to learn. He observed carefully as two women pounded dried kernels of corn between two rounded stones, catching the coarse flour on a strip of birchbark. He marked how they spread berries on bark, so that the sun dried them hard as pebbles. He admired the baskets made of a single strip of birchbark, bent and fastened at the corners so tightly that water could be boiled inside. "I must remember that," he resolved" (99-100).

And, Matt does remember it: he implements everything he learns from the Indian. This attitude exhibited by Matt brings up the reality that his survival is completely dependent upon his acceptance of something foreign to him. Furthermore, I could not help but notice how, as Matt's appreciation for nature and the Indians increases, Speare's description of the world by which he is surrounded grows more beautiful. The rough "thrashing in the underbrush" turns into "wild cranberries" that shine "like jewels along the boggy shores."



Speare's writing style definitely plays a strong role in The Sign of the Beaver because she is so descriptive of her characters and the world that surrounds them. First, I like how even though The Sign of the Beaver is narrated in third person, the perspective of Matt is made very clear: this allows me to understand him more because I hear his thought process. In addition, I like how Speare's style allows me to feel that I am side-by-side with the characters throughout the book. If I were to close my eyes right now an image would come to mind of Matt and Attean rambling through the woods, and I could also vividly see Matt's cabin and the rows of corn he planted. Finally, despite the general excitement of this story, there is an occasional part that is funny and made me laugh. For example, one day Attean takes Matt fishing and shows him how to use a spear to catch fish. When Attean tells Matt to "do same", Matt can hardly say no:

"He would just look ridiculous, Matt knew before he started. He waded in and stood up to his knees, looking down into the sliding water. Presently a fish darted past. He jabbed at it hopelessly. He was sure his stick actually touched the slippery thing. He lunged at it, lost his footing, and went down with a splash that would scare off any fish for miles around. When he came up dripping, he saw Attean watching him with a horrid grin" (47).

The image this passage creates is humorous because I can easily picture Matt flailing in the water while Attean smirks to the side. The humor is subtle too because of the undercurrent of competition and suspicion between both boys: Attean and Matt are each waiting for the other to slip up.



All its survival, humor, and exploits make The Sign of the Beaver an exciting read for book lovers of all ages; and I, a college-aged student, absolutely loved it. There is so much adventure throughout the storyline and interesting details about Indians and how they survived in the wilderness that I am sure it would especially appeal to young children who are intrigued by such a life. If you are the type of individual who wants to learn ways to survive in a wilderness--whether it be to tramp through a forest and not get lost, or to fish with a spear--then the Sign of the Beaver will hook you from beginning to end.


References:
Speare, E. G. (n.d.). The Survival Story. Milo Historical Society. Retrieved October 2, 2009, from [...]
Speare, E.G. (1983). The Sign of the Beaver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Hay listen up now I have a great book you should read it's called The sign of the Beaver. The sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare shows how people can live with Indians and how white man can live with all. To begin, his dad left to go get matt's mom, sister, and little baby. Matt's dad had moved into the woods without them so he had to go back to get them. Next in line, by his own stupidity he got stung badly but some in indans, the chief and his grand son Attean, helped him. They gave him medicine that helped his wounds. Finally Attean and all the Indians leave forever. Matt is left alone. His dad comes back with his mom and sister. I think if you don't read it you'll miss out on the greatness of the book.

This was a good product that was in good shape for the price that was asked.

We are 5 sixth grade girls and we read this book at school. The book that we read was not intresting. In the beginning it was so BORING, but in chapter 13 it got intresting, but then it got boring again until the end becuase the baby that Matts mom was carrying in her belly died and that was sad. Also when the dad left Matt home in the cabin by himself, also this guy name Ben stole his shot gun when the bear distroyed his food he had no gun to kill the bear with. I give this book one star becuase it was not intresting. BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!