Call It Courage Chapter Summary

Chapter One: Flight

The first chapter introduces Mafatu, the son of the island's chieftain.

Section A – 3 paragraphs

Mafatu is the boy who is afraid. This is a legend that was told about him from hundred years ago, before their written past.

• Effect of this introduction. What questions does it evoke?
• What do the people of Hikueru value the most?
• Understanding Mafatu

Section B - 7 paragraphs

This is the flashback of his mother's death when Mafatu was a toddler. Since that time he believed Moana, the sea god, was going to take his life.

• What is a flashback
• Effect on Mafatu

Section C - 9 paragraphs

Mafatu lives in fear. He is rejected by the other boys of the island.

• Compare Mafatu and his age mates
• Effect of his fear on himself and family
• Irony - his name

Section D - 27 Paragraphs

The boys of the island are planning their hunt, but Mafatu alone is too afraid to join them. Even the one youngster who would speak to him scorns him. He decides he must leave the island and only return when he can face his fears.

• Significance of the hunt for bonitos
• The companionship and betrayal of Kana
• Mafatu's strongest desire is his father's approval

Chapter 2: The Sea

Mafatu takes a canoe and heads to the open sea where he is caught in a life-threatening storm.

Section A - 17 paragraphs

The Storm

• His companions
• Events of the chapter
• His fears

Section B - 4 paragraphs

After the storm he is becalmed and threatened with an unquenchable thirst.

• His condition
• His Plan

Section C - 20 paragraphs

Mafatu is washed up on an unidentified island, west-south-west from Hikueru.

• Mafatu's Island
• Description
• Contrast with Hikueru

Chapter 3: The Island

Mafatu explores his new home and discovers dangers and secrets on his island. He conquers land and beast, but fear the cannibals who occasionally come there.

• Role of Uri and Kivi
• The Volcano
• Food and Shelter
• The reef
• What does he need to do? What does he decide?
• A new danger
• His Vow

  Chapter 4

  Section A - 10 paragraphs

  Mafatu's actions include building the canoe for his return home.
  • The canoe
  • His actions in this chapter
  • Significance of his childhood chores

  Section B - 37 paragraphs

  Mafatu encounters increasingly dangerous animals, each time winning his encounter and overcoming the danger.
  • 3 dangerous animals: Whale, Shark, Boar
  • What the author is communicating by the order
  • Mafatu's Confidence

  Section C - 33 Paragraphs

  His canoe is finished, but Mafatu neglected his lookout for the eaters-of-men.
  • His first action - went fishing
  • Significant of that action
  • Land vs sea
  • His discovery (He embraced the sea.)
  • The greatest danger yet (diving 40 feet)
  • The meaning of courage

  Section D - 3 paragraphs

  As Mafatu hears the drums in the distance he knows what they mean: the cannibals have returned!
  • Significance of the Drums

  Chapter 5: Homeward

  Using bravery and stealth, Mafatu escapes his enemies. But now his life-long enemy, the sea, threatens to claim his life. He laughs at his enemy.
  • The Chase
  • Compare the threat of enemies to the threat of danger
  • Contrast Sea and Sun
  • Reaction to Moana (defiance)
  • Kivi
  • His return
  • First paragraph vs last paragraph (The last paragraph leaves out that he is the boy who was afraid.)

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  Vocabulary

  Vocabulary Book Marks
  Maps

  Call It Courage Maps
  Mafatu's Island

  Diagram of the Fictitious Island
  Summary

  Highlights of each chapter