The Sign of the Beaver

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1983

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-15

Chapters 16-20

Chapters 21-25

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

What is the “treaty” that Saknis makes with Matt? How does this agreement lead to Matt’s friendship with Attean?

In teaching Attean how to read English, what reading material does Matt choose? Why does he make these choices? How do these choices change his relationship with Attean?

Early in The Sign of the Beaver, Matt loses his rifle. Explain how he manages without the gun and describe three skills Attean teaches him that help him live without it.

Attean often talks down to Matt; the latter hates this but puts up with it. Why?

In what ways do bears bring Matt and the Beaver clan together?

Why does Grandmother hate the European colonists? Describe how Matt overcomes her dislike of him.

Explain how Matt earns the respect of the boys of the Beaver clan.

Why does Attean wish to find his own manitou (spirit guide)? Why does Matt have mixed feelings about this quest?

Explain why Matt turns down Saknis’s offer to join the Beaver clan at their winter camp.

10.

What does Matt do that convinces him that he has finally achieved manhood like Attean? How does this act show that Matt has grown up?