In The Sign of the Beaver, Matt and Attean each have their own idea about what it means to be a real man. For Attean it involves hunting and skill, while for Matt it involves respect and survival. Still, they both agree that manhood means devotion and utmost loyalty. And that makes sense. Because becoming truly masculine in this book involves a transformation deep in the soul of each boy.
Questions About Man and Masculinity
- How is Matt's version of manhood different from Attean's?
- Why do you think it's so important for Attean to become a man?
- If the Indians had stayed, how would Matt and Attean's friendship have changed?
- In what ways are Matt's and Attean's definitions of manhood similar to 21st-century ideas about masculinity?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Matt only learned "squaw work" because his mother was gone—once she and his sister return, Matt will stop doing the things he learned from the women in Attean's village.
Matt's desire to learn "squaw work" was not merely for survival—he is fascinated with all aspects of Indian life and will always practice them.