Touching Spirit Bear Violence Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Cole's father turned around to face her. "You mind your own business or I'll use this thing on you." (6.49-50)

Cole hasn't pulled his violent ways out of thin air. The reason that he sees violence as the only option is because he's grown up in an abusive household—his father beats him up, so he beats other people up.

Quote #5

Cole stared down at his chest. The bear's claws had raked him open. His shredded shirt exposed gashes with long strips of flesh missing. One of the gulls squawked as it stole a stringy piece of meat and skin from another gull. Cole realized the gulls were fighting over bits of his own torn flesh. (8.14)

So much for bragging that he's not scared of any other people or animals. After being attacked by Spirit Bear, Cole finds out that he's pretty helpless—even seagulls are pecking at him and hurting him.

Quote #6

He wanted to throw up that anger like bad food and be rid of it forever. He turned to face the tree he had threatened earlier. Again he lunged toward the tree, only this time he let his fists strike the trunk. With each lunge, he struck the tree harder, ignoring the pain. (23.25)

When Cole finally does the dance of anger, he doesn't hold back. He attacks a tree and punches it until his hands are bleeding because he wants to let go of his violent tendencies once and for all. He wants to get it out of his system.