The Sign of the Beaver: Chap. 20-25 Quiz Time & Summaries

Rising ActionMatt doesn't hear from Attean for a week. When Attean returns, he appears very serious. He tells Matt that he is leaving to seek his manitou-his spirit-which he must find before he can be considered a man or a hunter.

Rising ActionAttean does not come visit Matt because he has been busy learning the Indian ways of becoming a man and has not had the time to visit Matt.

Rising ActionOne morning a changed Attean returns to Matt's cabin with Saknis. Matt can tell that Attean has found his manitou, because his head is shaved like an adult male's and he is carrying a rifle. Saknis tells Matt the tribe is moving north to hunt moose and invites Matt to join the Beaver clan. Matt is faced with internal conflict as he tries to choose between waiting for his family or going with the Beaver clan.

His loyalty for family wins out, and he decides to stay.

A manitou is a "spirit" that an Indian boy must find in himself before he can take his place in his tribe as a man and a hunter. It can come to him as an animal or a plant or in a dream. It can also be heard as a voice.

Rising ActionMatt can tell that Attean had found his manitou because his hair is different. His scalp is bare except for a single patch running back from his forehead and braided into a topknot fastened with red string.

ClimaxThis chapter actually highlights the climax of the novel as Attean and Matt are preparing to part ways. Attean comes to see if Matt has changed his mind about staying, but when Matt assures him has not, Attean gives him his dog. He wants his "white brother" to have a companion! Matt also reveals his respect for Matt at the decision to wait alone. Matt is deeply touched by the gift from Attean and wants to show Attean how heart-felt the gift is.

He gives Attean his most precious possession, the watch that was passed down from his grandfather.

Because Matt's father and family have not arrived yet, Saknis invites Matt to join their tribe as Attean's white brother.

Matt earns Attean's respect by staying at the cabin to fulfill his promise and obligation to his family in the face of possible danger and loss. It would have been easier for Matt to leave with Attean's tribe, but his love and need for his own family was more important to him than his own safety and comfort.

Several gifts are exchanged before Matt and the Indians part ways. Attean gives Matt his dog, Attean's grandmother gives Matt maple sugar, and Matt gives Attean his grandfather's watch.

Attean gives Matt his dog so his "white brother" will have a companion. In return, Matt gives Attean his most precious possession, the silver watch that his father passed down to him.

Falling Action:Winter has settled into the area. Matt days are spent on tasks necessary for survival.

He makes winter clothing for himself, even an otter-fur cap that he is very proud of!

Falling ActionAs Christmas is approaching, the first snowfall comes. There is so much snow that Matt is almost trapped in the cabin. When he gets out, he wears the snowshoes that Saknis had given him and finds joy from tramping about in the snow. This is the first time Matt feels happy since Attean went away!

While waiting for his family, Matt works on special gifts to. he makes trenchers, a dish brush, a birch broom, a corn husk doll, and a cradle for his family. He also makes certain there is a plentiful supply of food.

ResolutionMatt's family arrives 3 days after the snowstorm. After seeing how thin and pale his mother is, Matt realizes that illness has delayed their arrival to the Maine Territory. The family caught typhus during the journey. Then the river froze forcing them to stay at a traders post.

They had to finish the journey over land. Matt also learned that the new baby had only lived for 5 days, and his mom was still grieving this loss! Matt decides to keep the Beaver clan stories for a later time because he does not think his family will fully understand his experiences.