The Sign of the Beaver written by Elizabeth Geroge Speare is a captivating and adventurous novel about a boy named Mat and his experiences while trying to survive in a forest. Matt meets an Indian boy named Attean, who, with the rest of the tribe, helps him survive when Matt is left at home because his father went back to their hometown to get the rest of his family.. At first, Attean does not show interest in befriending Matt, but his grandfather, Saknis, the leader of the village, forces him to. At first, it is assumed that Matt is teaching Attean, but it soon turns table and is clear that Attean is teaching Matt. Attean and Matt, however, become friends eventually and share adventures throughout the story. Attean helps Matt with how to survive in the forest, and Matt reads Attean the story of Robinson Crusoe, which Attean likes and doesn’t like. The two boys bond quickly, and it is almost sad when they part ways. Matt continues to use the skills after Attean leaves, and welcomes his family when they arrive. Elizabeth George Speare spins themes of maturity and conflicts in this heartwarming novel.
Why is the title like such? Every title of a book has a meaning to it. Authors don’t just choose a title without thinking of the meaning. So, why is the title of the book “The Sign of the Beaver” and not something like “The Adventures of Matt and Attean”? The two most important words in the title, as you can probably guess, if “sign” and “beaver”. The word “beaver” is a symbol for Attean’s clan’s tribe. Their symbol is the beaver. The word “sign” is used as a symbol, a mark. The people of Attean’s tribe carved signs of the beaver into trees that marked their boundaries. It marked where they were allowed to hunt, allowed to take water, and allowed to live. However, with all the sacred markings, the result of the tribe was still that they got kicked out of their home and had to find a new homeland because of white settlers. Sometimes, people do something for the good, but other people overlook it and mistake it for the bad. Every title connects to its book, and has a meaning. Sometimes, the meaning is obvious, sometimes, it’s not.
Maturity is what happens naturally in life, if you accept it. Maturity is not like something you have to work for. When time comes, it’s there, hanging, and you have to grasp it, or it will fall away. Matt learns how to be mature throughout this book. He learns how to accept the differences of others, to accept their diversity and forgive mistakes and grudges. He learns to compromise and build trust. Matt also learns the importance of loyalty to one’s family. When Atteans and Saknis offer for Matt to go with them so he doesn’t have to survive the winter alone, he refuses, but Attean and Saknis respect his choice, and wish him luck. Matt stays behind because he is confident in his family’s return, and does not lose faith even after the scheduled period ends. He masters skills of toughness, how to fight, and cleverness, how to outwit when strength isn’t enough. There are tests to become mature. Can you accept? Can you forgive? If you can, among others, then you have deserved and earned it. Maturity is like a rope. Hanging, waiting for you to grab it and climb to the top.
Conflicts cannot always be avoided. When occurring, you have to find a solution. You cannot always prevent or start a conflict. When one does spark, just find the water to snuff out the flame, before it gets bigger. Conflicts between the white settlers and Native Indians are clear throughout this entire story. The first sign is when Attean gets mad at a black man bowing down to a white man in a book. After that, Matt finally realizes the conflict. White settlers are taking over Indians land, by force and by making them sign unfair treaties, while Indians are making efforts to keep their home. Matt and Attean give a solution by becoming friends and not resenting each other because of the different cultures and ethnicities, and understanding each other. They share, laugh, play, grow, and respect each other, giving each other more chances, and showing that there is always a way to compromise for a solution. Conflicts cannot always be avoided, but there is always a solution to every one. Whether the solution requires an apology, or a return of an item, it’s always there, hidden, or not hidden.
The Sign of the Beaver written by Elizabeth Geroge Speare is a truly heartwarming and exciting novel that shares many themes and lessons. Matt learns to grow up amongst a big conflict, and learns to become mature, settling conflicts without force and compromising. The different cultures and ethnicities posed a challenge in this book, as Attean was a native American and Matt was a white American boy from Quincy, Maine, living on Native American land, traditionally. Matt learned how to find solutions, decide in tough times, and be more open minded throughout this book. Matt and Attean grow to be friends, making a solution, or a compromise for the conflict between the white settlers and Native Americans. Matt learns how to survive in tough times with help from Attean. Elizabeth Geroge Speare really tells a novel full of themes, friendships, conflicts, and loyalty.
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