Being alone in the wilderness ain't easy. Need some proof? Talk to Julie or Brian… or Matt, our main dude in The Sign of the Beaver. The thing is, it's not just a struggle with survival for each of these characters—it's also a huge struggle to be alone. Because let's face it: humans are social creatures. So though Matt considered himself pretty good at being alone, after his father walked out of sight, he realized that isolation isn't always all it's cracked up to be.
Questions About Isolation
- For Matt, what were the hardest parts of being alone?
- What did Matt discover about himself, thanks to his isolation?
- How will Matt's life change when more people inhabit the remote area he's grown to love?
- Do you think Attean enjoys isolation as much as Matt does? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Though quiet and reserved, Attean craves companionship just as much (or more) than Matt does.
Matt's fear stems from his struggle to survive, not loneliness for his family.