The Sign of the Beaver Setting & Symbolism

The Sign of the Beaver Objects/Places

The Forest

The forest plays a very important role in the novel. It has many facets including happiness, fear, bravery, cold, warm, brightness and darkness. It is located in the new Maine territory and has for generations been the home of native Indians who have lived there, hunted, fished and used it as an integral part of their existence. In 1768, the forest is teeming with wild game, fish, birds and the environment necessary to sustain crops like corn and pumpkins. It provides all the necessities for the people living there to survive. However, as the two boys change, so does the forest and its inhabitants.

The Cabin

The novel is centered around the one-room cabin that has just been completed by Matt and his father. It is made of spruce logs that have been squared and notched and turned into the walls. The roof is constructed of cedar splints and covered with pine...
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