Call it Courage

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1940

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Belief in the Supernatural

Sperry highlights belief in nature gods as a motif. His depiction of Mafatu’s faith in Moana and Maui contributes to the reader’s understanding of Polynesian tradition and culture.

For Mafatu, Moana and the ocean are one and the same. He believes he cheated Moana when he survived the storm as a child, and therefore must have spiritual help from Maui, the fishermen god, to have a chance at escaping Moana’s grasp again. Although at times of unfavorable conditions, Mafatu despairs and worries Maui has left him, Mafatu frequently feels that Maui is on his side during his quest. Several times, his belief in Maui gives him courage, such as when Mafatu he reaches the distant island and credits Maui with his survival. Later, before diving down to retrieve his knife from the ocean floor, Mafatu worries that Maui will think him a coward; this deciding factor motivates his bravery. Mafatu’s beliefs in the supernatural motivate his decisions and affect his perspective of his circumstances, showing the significant role nature gods play in Polynesian culture.

Sperry’s use of the supernatural also contributes to the novel’s bildungsroman (coming of age) genre. Mafatu’s spiritual beliefs add to his maturation. He vows to Maui that he will return home once his father can be proud of him. Feeling the wind in response, Mafatu believes that Maui has heard him. Mafatu’s habitual prayers to Maui—of both gratefulness and supplication—show that Mafatu’s belief in Maui gives him confidence during his character transformation. Sperry also depicts other supernatural beliefs along the route of Mafatu’s coming-of-age journey, such as the sacred place on the island used by the cannibals. Mafatu faces the marae, or idol, when he snatches the spearhead from its base. This brave act of defiance against an evil supernatural presence marks an important event in Mafatu’s growing confidence: It is a step that spurs him towards future acts of courage, which eventually lead him to return home changed.

The Father-Son Relationship

Although few interactions occur between Mafatu and his father, Sperry uses Mafatu’s recurring thoughts of his father as a motif that shows the significance of the father-son relationship in Mafatu’s coming of age. After losing his mother as a child, Mafatu has only one remaining biological family member: his father. Although Mafatu feels left out of the community in many respects, his deepest shame comes from his belief that his father is disappointed in him. A desire to make his father proud drives Mafatu to take the drastic step of leaving Hikueru, and he vows he will not return until he fulfills that mission.

Sperry continues the father-son motif as Mafatu imagines his father’s reaction when he returns home. He shapes his canoe with great care, picturing how proud his father will be when he sees such a skillfully made craft. The night before he leaves the volcanic island, Mafatu falls asleep hoping his father will be proud of him. Mafatu realizes his dream at his homecoming, when Tavana Nui recognizes Mafatu first and proudly announces his son’s bravery to the village. Sperry’s use of the father-son motif contributes to Mafatu’s quest to find a sense of belonging. Ironically, Mafatu’s desire to please his father is what leads him to take a great step towards independence. This motif also highlights the desire to feel connected to and loved by family, suggesting the far-reaching motivational impact of parent-child relationships.

Kivi

Sperry uses the albatross, Kivi, as a symbol of hope for Mafatu. He creates a parallel between the bird and the boy as he explains Kivi’s disability. One of Kivi’s feet is smaller than the other. Because of this, other birds do not accept him. Similarly, Mafatu’s fear causes others to mock him and treat him as an outcast. Both Kivi and Mafatu know what it’s like to lack a sense of belonging. Although Mafatu and Kivi face similar problems, Kivi finds a way to overcome his disability when he learns to fly. In flight, Kivi is graceful, and all signs of his small foot disappear. In this way, the albatross provides hope for Mafatu—that he may overcome his fear and find belonging—and foreshadows the boy’s transformation.

Kivi provides hope and guidance at some of Mafatu’s darkest moments. As Mafatu leaves the reef, Kivi appears in the sky and leads him out of the reef, providing not only direction, but also the confidence Mafatu needs to stick to his decision to leave. Although Kivi comes and goes during Mafatu’s time on the distant island, he appears when Mafatu needs him most. Near the novel’s end, just as Mafatu believes he will die, he hears Kivi overhead and the bird leads him home. Kivi’s guidance and ability to overcome his own hardship aid Mafatu on his quest to overcome fear.