"Call It Courage" by Armstrong Sperry

APA Citation:

Sperry, A. (1968). Call it courage. N.Y., N.Y.:
      Macmillan Publishing.

Summary:

(Newberry Book)

Exposition:  Mafatu is the son of the Great chief of Hikureru.  He comes from a race of Polynesians who worship courage.  His name is Stout Heart but he is afraid of the sea because his mother died trying to save him after being capsized in their canoe because of a squall.  Mafatu remembers the tragedy and believes that the Gods still want to claim his life because he cheated death.

Conflict:  The people in his village tease and taunt Mafatu because he is afraid of the sea.  They could not understand how a coward can lead them in the future.  Mafatu wants to overcome his fear and prove to his people that he will be worthy one day to be their leader.

Rising Action:  Boys in Mafatu's village are preparing to head into the sea to catch bonitos but Mafatu sits and watches.  He wants to join them but is too afraid.  He hears his friend making fun of him and that is when he realizes that he must conquer his fear.  Mafatu sets out into the ocean on his own to catch bonitos and courage.  A small hurricane develops and lands him on an island of man eaters.  He struggles to survive.

Climax: The man eaters see Mafatu spying on them during one of their rituals.  They chase him through the jungle.  Mafatu barely escapes death by sailing off in his man made canoe.  The men chase Mafatu for several hours but finally give up.

Resolution:  Mafatu arrives back home.  He walks into the village wearing a necklace of boar's teeth, carrying a fine spear, and shining with courage in his eyes.  They all knew Mafatu was a changed boy.   

Literary Elements/ Illustrations:

     The illustrations are very detailed.  The reader can capture the mood of the story.  Mafatu's facial expressions show his sadness and sense of shame for being afraid of the sea. The loneliness and fear that Mafatu experience is illustrated clearly as Mafatu is shown in a little canoe upon the large ocean in the dark night.

Theme:  The title of the book plainly states its theme.  Mafatu has to overcome so many challenges to stay alive while he was deserted on the island of the man eaters.  Sperry beautifully shows Mafatu changing from a cowardish boy to a brave young man in the series of challenges that he faces while away from his home.

Characterization:  The reader is eager to turn the pages to see if Mafatu will become courageous.  The narrator of the story describes all Mafatu well.  The reader understand Mafatu's fear and desire to live up to his tribal name.  Sperry does an excellent job in making Mafatu a round character.