Sign of the Beaver Reflection

This story takes place in the vacant forest that would soon turn into the state of Maine. Young Matt Hallowell is constructing a cabin with his father so that his family may dwell there and resume a new life as a colonist. Matt’s father instructs Matt to remain at the cabin as he goes to gather the rest of the family members that were currently living at a nearby trading post. As Matt lives off what he has and the surrounding nature, he soon meets up with an Indian that is residing near Matt’s families cabin. The Indian (whose name is Attean) offers to teach Matt hunting techniques so he can survive by himself in exchange for Matt to teach Attean reading skills to communicate with the white people. As the months go by without Matt’s family returning yet, he makes a tough decision to either live with the Indians, or wait for his family to arrive.

As the story continues, the readers find themselves making connections with the characters. I also feel that way when Matt progresses through the story without a clue to what is going to happen next. Sometimes I feel protective over Matt as he travels with Indians that his father had warmed him about but for Matt, he sees an adventure. Even though Matt is adventurous and brave, I find that his curiosity gets in the way. Like the time he tried to approach the shaking bush but to discover a snarling bear. That’d one thing I wouldn’t have attempted if I were Matt.

“The Sign of the Beaver” sounds like an interesting title that can easily capture someone’s attention but I have come up with another title that seems even better. The title I would use would be “An Indian’s Territory” because it gives reader a sense of direction of what the story is about. “The Sign of the Beaver” has very little impact on the story because the Sign of the Beaver is just a marking used by the Indian to mark their territory. “An Indian’s Territory” makes the reader wonder “what about the Indian’s territory” and would draw the reader in.

I think the author had ended the story the way the main character intended to. For example, Matt’s family had finally arrived at the end of the story and praise Matt for taking care of the cabin. Also, Matt is still alive which meant that nothing has seriously impacted Matt and it always good for the protagonist to survive.

This book can also relate to parts of your life. Parts of this book that relate to my life is like when Matt is left alone and is responsible for keeping the cabin in good condition so that others could benefit. When my parents would go on vacation my brothers and sisters and I would have to clean up the house so that my parents could relax instead of worrying about cleaning. This is how “The Sign of the Beavers” is tied to my life.