Sometimes a person must be nearly destroyed in order to heal. This is the case for Cole, the protagonist of Touching Spirit Bear. First, Cole nearly ruins his life by attacking Peter—an action that would have landed him in jail if Garvey had not taken an interest in Cole and brought him to the Healing Circle instead. Cole is again almost destroyed after the Spirit Bear’s attack, but this dramatic near-death experience illustrates the broader trajectory of his life: Each time Cole acts out violently, he brings himself closer to his own destruction. It is because of the impact of the Spirit Bear, as well as the friendship of Edwin and Garvey, that Cole can finally overcome his anger and his past, forgiving himself and everyone who has hurt him. When the Spirit Bear revisits Cole as he lies dying, it shows trust in and forgiveness of Cole. This experience deeply affects Cole, and he vows to live a life of honesty and forgiveness afterward.

The Spirit Bear is one of several symbols of healing in the novel, including the Healing Circle,

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