Character Clues

Character Analysis

Action

For the dudes and dudettes in The Sign of the Beaver, they are what they do. Let's look at Matt and Attean's run-in with the bear as an example. When they see the bear:

Somehow Matt had the sense not to run […] Matt would never know why he acted as he did. He could not remember thinking at all, only staring with numb horror at the creature about to charge. Somehow he did move. He swung the dead rabbit by its ears and hurled it straight at the bear's head. (15.7)

What does this tell us about Matt? Lots. We know he's brave since he doesn't run away; we know he's impulsive because he hurled a dead rabbit at a bear; and we are certain that he has a good heart since he tries to stop the bear instead of just trying to save himself.

But Matt isn't alone in this moment, and we also learn a whole lot about Attean just by his actions. The narrator says:

There was a sharp twang and the dull thud of a blow. Just between the eyes of the bear, the shaft of Attean's bow quivered. As the waving forepaws began to lower, a second arrow struck just below the bear's shoulder. […] With a wild yell, Attean sprang forward and thrust his knife deep, just behind his first arrow. (15.8-9)

Okay. So Attean's got skills, and he's even-keeled to boot. He quickly identifies what needs to be done to resolve this situation with the bear, and busts out his bow and knife to resolve the situation without even flinching. Importantly, when the bear dies, "Attean did not grin […]. He stood over the bear, and he began to speak, slowly and solemnly, in his own tongue" (15.11). So we also know that Attean respects his culture and the seriousness of taking another life, which lets us know that Attean himself is pretty worthy of respect in his own right.

Head back to the book to look for examples of other characters' actions and what they show us about who they really are.

Speech and Dialogue

Neither Matt nor Attean are blabbermouths, and even when they're together they mostly keep their mouths shut. But what this often means, is that when they do speak, out pop sparkly character-enhancing gems. For instance, check out Attean's response when Matt is reading Robinson Crusoe to him:

"White man not smart like Indian," he said scornfully. "Indian not need thing from ship. Indian make all thing he need." (8.20-21)

He might be a dude of few words generally, but this is an excellent example of Attean opening his mouth and dropping a major truth bomb. In just three sentences, he manages to shift Matt's understanding of Robinson Crusoe, a book he's read numerous times and never been particularly critical of. And in doing so, we understand that Attean has been paying attention and is confident in his own assessment of things.

For another great example of speech showing more than initially meets the eye, you might want to revisit Matt's interaction with Attean's grandma when he's trying to rescue his friend's pup.

Thoughts and Opinions

Matt's not much of a talker, and this means we have to listen to his thoughts and opinions to find out more about him. Luckily for us, we get to hang out in Matty boy's head a fair amount in this book, and as we do, his thoughts teach us that he's a kid with weaknesses and dreams, just like any other kid.

Have you ever felt jealous? Secretly wanted something one of your friends has? So has Matt:

The fact was, Matt was a little jealous of Attean. A dog would be mighty fine company here in the woods, no matter how scrawny it looked. (11.19)

Thanks to the straightforward tone, we don't have to wonder at all about Matt's thoughts here. We're told outright that he feels jealous, even though he keeps it to himself.

Have you ever wanted to be the hero, to outshine someone you know and save the day? Matt definitely has:

He would lie awake in the night, […] and make up stories in which he himself, not Attean, was the hero. Sometimes he imagined how Attean would be in some terrible danger, and he, Matt, would be brave and calm and come swiftly to the rescue. (13.23)

Left to his own thoughts, Matt's mind wanders to wishing he were the mightier one in his relationship with Attean. This clues us into who Matt wants to be, and let's us know that he feels kind of badly about not being as capable and brave as his friend. Cool, right? And we know all this just from peeking into Matt's thoughts as he drifts off to sleep at night.