Matt's Cabin Experience

Questions and Answers

Why was Matt left alone in the cabin?

to guard the cabin and look after the corn

Why did Matt keep up with the days?

to know when his parents would return

How did Matt keep up with the days?

notches in a stick

Why did Matt have a lump in his throat when he got the watch?

it belonged to his grandfather and it was the finest thing his dad had Signup and view all the answers

What shows that Matt's dad had confidence in him?

trusted him with the rifle Signup and view all the answers

Why was Matt worried about starting a fire?

afraid he would not be able to get it started and keep it going Signup and view all the answers

How was Matt to treat the Indians?

nice and polite; like you would treat your preacher Signup and view all the answers

Why was it important that he be nice to the Indians?

they would not bother him Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt lie to the bearded man?

he did not trust him Signup and view all the answers

What did the bearded man say to make Matt think he was bad?

he had got out of town just in time Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt learn from Ben about the Indians?

that some were here, in Canada and dead Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt feel about losing the rifle?

he was angry and unhappy Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Matt did not bar the cabin door?

a bear wrecked the cabin and ate the food Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt climb the tree with the bees?

he wanted something sweet Signup and view all the answers

Who were the people bending over Matt?

an old and young Indian Signup and view all the answers

Why was Matt truthful with Saknis?

he trusted him Signup and view all the answers

What do you think Saknis did for Matt while he was sick?

he took care of him and gave him meds Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think Saknis took care of Matt?

he was being a kind and helpful neighbor Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt give Saknis the book?

he gave him something in return Signup and view all the answers

Why did Saknis want his grandson to read?

so he could read the treaty Signup and view all the answers

How did Attean act at his first lesson?

defiant and protesting Signup and view all the answers

Why was Attean not impressed with the book Robinson Crusoe?

he did not like Matt and thought reading was foolish Signup and view all the answers

What do you think Matt meant about Crusoe living like a king?

Crusoe had it better Signup and view all the answers

Why did Attean come back for reading lessons?

to hear the story Signup and view all the answers

Why was Attean offended by Robinson Crusoe?

the Indian held the white man down like a slave Signup and view all the answers

What were the two skills that Attean taught Matt that helped him be independent?

fish hook Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt learn about the men and women in Attean's tribe?

women did all the work Signup and view all the answers

What was the work like in Matt's family?

they all shared the work Signup and view all the answers

Why did Attean take Matt into the unfamiliar forest?

he wanted him to find his way out Signup and view all the answers

What was the crude drawing on the tree?

sign of the beaver Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt want to tell his dad about the drawing?

he wanted him to respect the way of the Indians Signup and view all the answers

Matt was embarrassed that Attean saw him practicing bow and arrow, why?

the bow was bad and arrows would not go straight Signup and view all the answers

Why was Attean's bow better than Matt's?

made of better wood and put more time into making it Signup and view all the answers

Why would Attean not release the fox from the trap?

it was turtle land Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt feel about not letting the fox go?

he thought it was cruel Signup and view all the answers

What's the keen intelligence of Attean?

knowledge about the forest and learned the alphabet Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt tell stories about the Bible?

he wanted Attean to keep coming and the Bible was full of adventure Signup and view all the answers

Why was Attean excited about the story of Noah?

it was similar to one of his stories Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt do to allow Attean to kill the bear?

threw the bunny at it, giving Attean time to take him Signup and view all the answers

How did Attean let Matt know he was pleased with his actions?

Attean told Matt he was thinking like an Indian Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt think his father would not return?

after seeing the bear, he thought about how dangerous the forest could be Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt join in the dancing?

Attean said he had to Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt feel about his part in the dance?

he felt like an Indian Signup and view all the answers

Why did Attean blame the white man for not being able to hunt?

Indians could not get many beavers because the white men hunted them Signup and view all the answers

Why was Attean's grandmother not happy with Matt coming to the feast?

because white men killed Attean's mom Signup and view all the answers

Why was Matt invited to the feast?

because he was involved in killing the bear Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt feel chilly even with the fire going?

he was worried that his family may never return Signup and view all the answers

Why did it take courage for Matt to speak to Attean's grandmother?

he knew that the grandmother did not like him or want him around Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt feel 'a chilliness inside' even with the fire going?

he was worried his family wasn't coming home Signup and view all the answers

Why did it take courage for Matt to speak to Attean's grandmother?

Attean's grandmother did not want him here Signup and view all the answers

Why did the grandmother offer Matt a piece of cornbread?

because Matt was trying to help Attean's dog Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt feel 'almost as good as being back in Quincy'?

playing with the Indian boys like he did inside Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt feel homesick?

the way Attean's grandmother looked at him made him miss his mother Signup and view all the answers

Why was Matt pleased that Attean did not escort him all the way home?

Matt knew the forest Signup and view all the answers

What is Manitou?

the spirit of manhood Signup and view all the answers

How would Attean find his 'Manitou' and why was it important to him?

he would wait in the forest for days and would become a man when he survived Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'cliffhanger' at the end of chapter 20?

Matt and Attean would no longer be friends Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt know that Attean had found his Manitou?

Attean cut his hair and he had a gun Signup and view all the answers

Why was Saknis's invitation tempting to Matt?

Matt will not have to be alone if his parents didn't return Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt finally win the respect of Attean?

Attean was glad Matt wanted to stay at the cabin Signup and view all the answers

Why did Matt choose not to go with Attean and his people?

he did not want to leave the cabin in case his father returned Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'owning the land' differ for Matt and Attean?

Attean believed that everyone should share land; Matt believed if you buy it, it's yours Signup and view all the answers

What did Matt give to Attean?

the watch of his grandfather Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Beaver people moving?

winter was coming Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt use the things the Indians had taught him to survive the cold weather?

Matt stored pumpkins, berries, birch baskets, and birch Signup and view all the answers

How did Matt feel about the statement his mother made....'Before you know it we'll have a town here...'

he looked forward to seeing his parents but he would miss the Indians Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Left Alone in the Cabin

Matt was left alone in the cabin to safeguard it and tend to the corn.
He marked time using notches on a stick to keep track of days until his parents' return.

Emotional Connections

Receiving a watch from his grandfather made Matt emotional, as it was the finest possession of his father.
Matt felt trusted by his dad, evidenced by being given the rifle for protection.

Interactions with Others

Matt was instructed to treat the Indians with respect, akin to how one would greet a preacher.
Being nice to the Indians was crucial for Matt, as it helped prevent trouble.

Trust and Distrust

Matt lied to the bearded man he encountered, harboring distrust due to the man's suspicious demeanor.
The bearded man's comment about leaving town "just in time" raised Matt's suspicions about his character.

Learning and Relationships

Matt learned essential information about the local Indians from Ben, including their status in Canada.
He had a strong emotional reaction to losing his rifle, feeling both angry and upset.

Wildlife Encounters

A bear managed to destroy Matt's cabin and consume his food after he failed to lock the door.
When seeking food, Matt climbed a tree to access honey from bees.

Cultural Exchange

Matt's relationship with Saknis improved as he trusted Saknis and appreciated his care during sickness.
Matt learned valuable survival skills from Attean such as using fish hooks and preparing for independent living.

Perspectives on Work and Society

The division of labor in Attean's tribe involved women doing the majority of the work, contrasting with Matt's family where tasks were shared equally.

Learning from Adventures

Attean took Matt into an unfamiliar forest to test his navigation skills, while also teaching him practical survival techniques.
A drawing on a tree represented the "Sign of the Beaver," which Matt wanted to share with his father to show respect for Indian ways.

Cultural Differences

Attean's disdain for the book "Robinson Crusoe" stemmed from his view of reading as foolish and his lack of appreciation for Matt.
Attean was initially offended by the portrayal of Indians in "Robinson Crusoe."

Developing Friendships

Matt recounted Bible stories to engage Attean, hoping to maintain their friendship through shared adventures.
The story of Noah excited Attean as it mirrored one of his own tales.

Hunting and Respect

Matt's actions during a bear hunt earned him respect from Attean, who noted that Matt was beginning to think like an Indian.

Fears and Courage

Matt experienced fear for his father’s safety after an encounter with a bear, leading to anxiety about his dad's return.
Speaking to Attean's grandmother took courage, given her evident dislike for Matt.

Community and Acceptance

Matt's involvement in killing a bear led to an invitation to an Indian feast, showcasing his growing acceptance within the tribe.
Despite being cold, Matt felt a deep sense of worry, mixed with the warmth of community.

Cultural Identity

The concept of "Manitou" symbolized Attean's cultural rites of passage into manhood, involving survival in the wilderness.
Attean's transformation was marked by cutting his hair, indicating he had found his "Manitou."

Choices and Change

Matt faced a dilemma when Saknis invited him to stay away from loneliness, contemplating a life with the Indians potentially against his parents' return.
The differing views on land ownership highlighted a cultural divide: Matt believed in private ownership, while Attean supported communal sharing.

Final Acts of Kindness

Matt gifted Attean a watch from his grandfather, bridging their friendship and showing mutual respect.
The Beaver people prepared for winter migration, illustrating their adaptability to nature.

Reflections of Home and Change

Although Matt looked forward to his parents' return, he expressed a sense of longing for life with the Indians.

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Description

Explore the key themes of trust, emotional connections, and interactions in Matt's journey while alone in the cabin. Understand how his experiences shaped his perspective on relationships with the locals and his responsibilities. This quiz delves into Matt's emotional growth and the challenges he faced in isolation.