Matt’s father’s watch represents coming of age, specifically how the process of growing up and becoming a man differs from culture to culture. Though Matt doesn’t really come of age until after his father has left for Massachusetts, his father gives him the watch—which is the most expensive and precious things he owns and belonged to his own father—just before he leaves. Matt’s father frames this gift as something that Matt receives because he’s an adult; the watch is traditionally passed down from father to son when a son comes of age in Matt’s family. And while Matt is inarguably still a child for much of the summer that he has the watch, receiving it nevertheless inspires him to behave as maturely as he’s able. He wants to deserve the watch and the maturity and respect it connotes.
Later on, when Attean and Matt say a final goodbye to each other, Matt decides to pass the watch on to Attean as a token of their friendship and brotherhood. Giving the watch away shows that Matt has truly come of age: he now recognizes that the watch itself doesn’t make him a man. Rather, what makes him a man is the care he shows to others. Attean, for his part, recognizes the meaningful sacrifice Matt is making by giving him the watch. And so even though Matt knows full well that Attean doesn’t need a timepiece to tell time, Attean still respectfully lets Matt show him how to wind it and thanks Matt for the generous gift. This, in turn, highlights Attean’s own maturity: the watch isn’t useful to him as a tool, but he still understands that it’s important to his friend and that the polite, mature thing to do is to treasure it.
The Watch Quotes in The Sign of the Beaver
Matt took the watch in his hand as gently as if it were a bird’s egg. “You aim to leave it, Pa?” he asked.
“It belonged to your grandpa. Would’ve belonged to you anyhow sooner or later. Might as well be now.”
“You mean—it’s mine?”
“Aye, it’s yourn. Be kind of company, hearing it tick.”
The lump in Matt’s throat felt as big as the watch. This was the finest thing his father had ever possessed.
“I’ll take care of it,” he managed finally.
“Aye. I knowed you would. Mind you don’t wind it up too tight.”
His father would never understand. Before he could think about it another minute, Matt hurried back to where Attean stood waiting.
“I have a gift for you,” he said. “It tells the time of day. I’ll show you how to wind it up.”
Attean held the watch even more carefully. There was no mistaking that he was pleased and impressed. Probably, Matt thought, Attean would never learn to use it. The sun and the shadows of the trees told him all he needed to know about the time of day. But Attean knew that Matt’s gift was important.
“Fine gift,” he said.
The Watch Symbol Timeline in The Sign of the Beaver
