Who is Mafatu in Call It Courage?
Who is Mafatu in Call It Courage?
Mafatu, whose name means “Stout Heart,” is the son and heir of the Great Chief of Hikueru, an island of people who worship courage — but ever since his mother drowned when he was a child, he has lived in terror of the sea.
Why didn’t Mafatu eat the coconuts?
Why didn’t Mafatu eat the coconuts? He was too weak to climb up the coconut tree.
What did Mafatu see around the altar?
Mafatu realizes he has inhabited the island for about a week and begins designing his escape by making a canoe. He gathers things he will need to survive a trip across the ocean. He finds a spearhead on the terrible altar and, after attaching it to a shaft, uses it for hunting and defense.
What guided Mafatu home?
How did Kivi, his albatross, help Mafatu? Kivi guided Mafatu safely away from the island.
What does Mafatu mean?
Expert Answers Mafatu’s name means “Stout Heart”. In the Polynesian village of Hikueru where Mafatu lives, the people worship courage. It is with pride that Tavana Nui, the Great Chief of the tribe, christens his son “Stout Heart”.
What did Mafatu call the island at that point?
The island on which Mafatu and his mother washed up was called Tekoto. This happened when he was only three years old.
What does Mafatu’s name mean?
How old is Mafatu?
Mafatu. A 15 year old boy from the Polynesian island of Hikueru, Mafatu’s name means “Stout Heart.” However, due to his strong fear of the ocean, he is known by his tribe as “The Boy Who Was Afraid.” In order to overcome this fear and earn respect, Mafatu ventures out onto the sea.
What did Mafatu fear?
In Call It Courage, Mafatu had a great fear of the sea. The reason is because his mother was killed while out at sea. A hurricane destroyed his mother’s boat, and she ultimately died.
Why does Mafatu leave the island?
Why did Mafatu leave the island? Because he was now brave.
What did Mafatu and Uri eat for supper?
Later, after he finds the altar of the cannibals, Mafatu makes himself a fire and has cooked food. He uses the fire to cook the breadfruit and the bananas. He eats all of the bananas and shares the breadfruit with Uri, his dog.
Who is Mafatu in the book call it courage?
This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion on Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry. Mafatu is afraid of the ocean. As a young member of the tribe on the Polynesian island Hikueru, a people for whom sailing and fishing are a fundamental way of life, Mafatu’s fear is a major social stigma.
What kind of terrain does Mafatu come from?
The island has thick jungle and an inactive volcano at its center, and this terrain is strange to Mafatu, who comes from an island of flat plains and few palm trees. Towards the top of the volcano there is a plateau which offers an excellent view of the whole island.
How did Mafatu get away from the Savages?
Mafatu observes the beginning of their ritual at the sacred site, trying to remain hidden, but he is discovered by four of the savages. They chase him back to his beach, where he leaps into his canoe and tries to get away. At first the eaters-of-men swim after him, but then they turn back and follow in their own canoes.
Why does Mafatu have a fear of the sea?
Mafatu, the ten-year-old son of a Polynesian chieftan, has always feared the sea because in his toddlerhood he and his mother were swept away by a storm in which his mother lost her life. As he approaches the edge of manhood, his fear prevents him from winning a place in his community.
