how does cole"s willingness to stay in the island show how he has changed

Cole is actually quite at home on his island. He likes his rituals and welcomes the penance that he must observe. Instead of making a canoe to escape, cole choses to make a totem pole to help his healing process. By staying on the island, Cole has finally taken responsibility for his own actions. His exile becomes self-imposed which shows he is truly working on himself now.