1. Touching Spirit Bear
Unit Test Study Guide

2. Realistic Fiction Characteristics: Real-life situations
Present-day setting (30 years-present)
Main character solves a realistic problem
NO elements of fantasy/sci fi

3. First Person POV From the perspective of the main character.
Uses “I”, “me”, “us”, etc.
Causes the reader to feel very close to the main character

4. Second Person POV Gives the reader a purpose Uses “you”, “your”
Example: How-to book

5. 3rd Person Limited POV From the perspective of the main character
Does NOT use “I”, “we”, “our”, etc
Effect on reader is similar to First Person POV

6. 3rd Person Omniscient
The reader is “all-knowing”, experiences the thoughts and feelings of all major characters
Causes the reader to feel separate from the action, like an outsider looking in

7. How is Realistic Fiction different from Autobiography, Biography, or Memoirs?
Realistic fiction is based on the lives of fictional characters
Auto/Bio/Memoir are all non-fiction and chronicle the lives of real people.

8. External Conflicts in TSB
Person vs Person
Cole vs. Peter
Person vs. Nature
Cole vs. Spirit Bear
Person vs. Society
Cole vs. justice system
Cole vs. his community

9. Internal Conflict in TSB
Cole vs. Himself
Anger, shame
This is the MAIN CONFLICT in the story!

10. How does the setting contribute to the plot?
Alaska
Weather?
Wildlife?
Time of day?
Time of year?

11. Main Theme of TSB

12. Symbolism in the Novel Spirit Bear = peace, inner “goodness”
Circle = circle of life
At.oow = protection, warmth
Fire = Cole’s anger (setting fire to the shack)
Water = inner peace
Feather = respect
Animal dances = Cole’s state of mind

13. Also be familiar with… Essay response from study guide
Characterization of main characters
Plot points in sequence
Inciting incident
Rising action
Climax
Falling
Denouement/Resolution