Touching Spirit Bear

Cole makes a real effort to connect with Peter. Cole lets Peter unload his anxiety and aggression ion him. At the end of the novel, when Cole and Peter carve a circle into the bottom of the totem pole, they recognize that the stick with anger and happiness on each side does not represent the truth. Rather, anger and happiness are connected, and one can channel anger into happiness rather than be consumed by it. The dance helps them both acknowledge and release their pain.