Historical Context
Emancipation
Although the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation liberated the slaves, their
economic conditions remained dire due to ongoing inequalities that restricted
access to many jobs and educational opportunities. Southern states, resentful
after losing their secession attempt, responded by enacting laws known as the
"Black Codes." These laws effectively continued the racial segregation and
degradation that had been imposed on slaves, preventing former slaves from
achieving economic opportunities and fair judicial processes almost as
thoroughly as before Emancipation. However, Congress refused to readmit states
to the Union unless they ratified the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished
slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which guaranteed civil liberties to all
citizens. By 1877, Reconstruction plans were completed. Yet, instead of
integrating African Americans into society, the South established a segregation
system that claimed to provide separate but equal opportunities for freed
slaves and their descendants. "White supremacy" undermined any notion of
fairness as the South began rejoining the Union. By Faulkner's time, conditions
had scarcely improved; segregation continued to bar African Americans from
better schools and jobs, and they still faced frequent threats of violence and
humiliation.
Big Industry
The United States underwent significant changes following the Civil War. The
agricultural South was nearly destroyed, while the industrial Northeast
flourished. The railroad industry boomed as opportunists in the Midwest and
West sought ways to transport their products—mainly beef and grain—to market.
Predominantly owned by New Yorkers, the railroads received free land and
millions of dollars in loans. Bankers, led by financier J. P. Morgan,
accumulated wealth rapidly, as did the railroad-owning families like the
Vanderbilts and Goulds. Soon, the nation's wealth was concentrated in the hands
of a few businessmen who sought to protect their fortunes through trusts. The
era of big business had begun, with its primary goal being self-preservation.
Railroad companies manipulated rates to favor the business of associates while
imposing exorbitant fees on smaller, independent companies. Represented in
government by the Republican Party, these companies faced opposition from the
South and poorer northerners, including immigrants, who looked to the
Democratic Party for leadership. Although Republicans typically prevailed,
Democrat Grover Cleveland did serve an eight-year term, during which "The Bear"
is set. These wealthy business families also controlled the stock market, and
their market manipulations are often blamed for the 1929 stock market crash.
Faulkner's perspective in the early twentieth century, a time when
industrialization seemed overwhelming, lends a sense of urgency to the
destruction of deSpain's hunting grounds.
Economic Depression
Although "The Bear" is set in the late nineteenth century, Faulkner began writing the story during the Great Depression. The economic conditions in the post-war South were similar to those during the Depression, with people losing land and family possessions, leading to an identity crisis. The post-war South was particularly vulnerable to "carpetbaggers," individuals from the North who moved South seeking business and land opportunities. Many desperate Southerners felt compelled to sell their land, much like Major deSpain, who sells his property to a forestry company. The Great Depression also forced families across the country to relocate in search of employment. Similarly, after the Civil War, freed slaves began migrating, some heading to the industrialized North and others moving to land promised by the Union before Emancipation. While some freed slaves were skilled craftsmen and a few, like Fonsiba's educated husband, could read, the majority had no education, money, work skills, or understanding of self-management. These individuals often fell prey to opportunistic carpetbaggers, sometimes even joining them in their quest for power and wealth. Some freed slaves chose to remain on the plantations, seeking security from their former owners in exchange for their...
(This entire section contains 618 words.)
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loyalty. Tennie and her son Jim are among the McCaslin slaves who decide to stay with the McCaslin family.
Literary Style
Point of View
Though "The Bear" is narrated in third-person, the story is seen through the
eyes of Ike McCaslin. However, not everything Ike knows is revealed. For
instance, neither Ike nor the narrator explicitly confirms that Boon killed
Sam. McCaslin assumes this, and Ike, the only witness, does not dispute it. The
speculations made by Ike and McCaslin regarding Eunice's suicide further
complicate matters. This shows that the narrator is not omniscient but rather a
limited and experimental variation of the traditional third-person
narrator.
Setting
"The Bear" takes place in Faulkner's imagined Yoknapatawpha County,
Mississippi, spanning various periods of Ike McCaslin's youth. The narrative
begins with Ike at sixteen and primarily focuses on his early hunting trips in
the fall of 1877 and the summer of 1878. The second section recounts events
from 1879, including Lion's capture, and continues two years later when Lion
nearly corners Old Ben. The third section details Old Ben's death the following
year. The fourth section shifts from the pre-war era of Carothers McCaslin to
Ike's renouncement of his estate, his childless marriage, and austere life,
structured around Eunice's timeline. Eunice, a slave purchased in 1807, gave
birth to Tomey in 1810 and committed suicide in 1832. Chapter five revisits
Ike's final hunting trip in 1882.
Symbolism
The most significant symbol in "The Bear" is Old Ben, representing the natural
world he inhabits. His death symbolizes the destruction of nature brought by
railroads and loggers. Boon Hogganbeck, who kills Ben, embodies modern man’s
attempt to dominate nature using sheer force. Although Boon manages to kill
Ben, he is ultimately overpowered by a tree full of frenzied squirrels,
implying that humanity's blind destruction of nature will lead to eventual
frustration and despair.
Allusion
Biblical allusions are abundant in "The Bear," as is common in Faulkner's work.
Sam Fathers is seen as a Christ-like figure whose teachings provide absolute
truths for Ike to follow. Buck and Sophonsiba are likened to a modern Abraham
and Sarah, with Ike as the improbable child born in their old age. This analogy
emphasizes the irony of Ike rejecting their inherited beliefs for Sam Fathers'
teachings. Some references are more subtle. For example, the woods teeming with
snakes, which Ash warns Ike about in section five, depict an Eden that is no
longer innocent, but only partially pure. The snake, a significant symbol in
Chickasaw mythology, is also addressed as "Grandfather" by Ike. While a
familiarity with the Bible can enhance understanding of these allusions, their
collective impact suggests that "The Bear" addresses universal themes.
Foreshadowing
The phrase "And so he should have feared and hated Lion" appears multiple times
in the second section of "The Bear," foreshadowing Lion's significant role in
the hunt for Old Ben. This repeated phrase continuously reminds readers of the
story's eventual outcome. Although Lion's strength, skill, and bravery are
highlighted, it is somewhat misleading to suggest that Ike or the humans should
fear him. Why should Dee fear and hate Lion if he is the ideal dog for
assisting Ike and the others in their quest? The answer lies not in the
foreshadowing itself but in the events that unfold later in the story. Despite
hunting Ben for several years, his death marks the beginning of the end for
many things. Ben's demise signals the end of the hunting club, the hunting
grounds, and a wilderness untouched by development and civilization. It also
signifies the end of traditions and rituals upheld by Sam Fathers and others.
The phrase "And so he should have feared and hated Lion" offers readers a
"20-20 hindsight" perspective, where knowledge of the future shapes the
understanding of the past.
Modernism
Faulkner's works embody several aspects of modernist literature. Modernism
describes an international artistic movement that started around World War I
and continued through World War II. This movement diverged from the traditional
narrative forms of realism and naturalism. Modernists experimented with
narrative structure and dialogue, aiming to replicate subjective thought and
experience. They explored new perspectives and new methods of communication. In
the art world, this movement was embraced by painters like Pablo Picasso and
Henri Matisse. One of the most notable features of Faulkner's work, and
modernism in general, is the experimentation with narrative time. While the
first three sections of "The Bear" appear relatively straightforward, section
four shifts back and forth in time with little indication of the story's
direction. This section also introduces a change in technique. Unlike the
simpler sentences used in the earlier sections, section four employs long,
complex sentences that may span several paragraphs and different time periods.
Remarkably, this section constitutes almost half the story yet contains only
one hundred sentences. These passages mimic interior monologues, as if the
narrator and characters are speaking to themselves without concern for clarity
to any listener. Due to these experiments, some find Faulkner's work
challenging to read and comprehend. Many readers believe this intricate
technique reflects Faulkner's views on the complexity of modern life.
Literary Techniques
"The Bear" stands as a storytelling masterpiece. Faulkner employs stream-of-consciousness narration to delve deeply into the emotions and thoughts of his characters during moments of profound revelation. For instance, Isaac's reading of the plantation ledgers unveils his grandfather's incestuous relationship with his slave daughter, and Isaac's awareness of the vibrant life beneath the surface of the declining wilderness. Faulkner also utilizes breathless realistic adventure techniques to vividly recount hunting scenes involving deer and bear. A significant portion of part four features intricate dialogues, including a written exchange between Buck and Buddy in the plantation ledgers, and a spoken conversation between Isaac and Cass regarding Isaac's decision.
Lion and Old Ben are crafted as symbolic figures. Isaac learns to interpret them both as symbols—Lion representing a kind of death force that is ultimately subdued by the dominant life force embodied by Old Ben. Sam Fathers, whose name adds to his symbolic resonance, emerges as a voice for all who have cherished the wilderness before Isaac. Sam embodies the heritage of all three races that have inhabited the region and acts as a paternal figure to Isaac, imparting ancient traditions and beliefs. Isaac comes to understand the characters and the wilderness landscape as a form of transcendental allegory, thereby guiding the reader to adopt this perspective as well.
Compare and Contrast
1880s: The Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which guaranteed civil liberties, are ratified by all states.
1942: The Supreme Court overturns the Georgia Contract Labor Act, ruling that the "peonage" it endorses violates the anti-slavery amendment.
Today: Laws protect all individuals from slavery, yet immigrants and people of color often face civil liberty violations.
1882: Standard Oil establishes a trust to monopolize the industry and eliminate competition. This practice is soon adopted by other industries, resulting in significant job losses.
1941: Ford Motor Company signs its first agreement with a labor union. General Motors offers a wage increase to prevent strikes.
Today: Large corporations continue to resist government intervention and labor unions to maximize profits and minimize external regulations that hinder those profits.
1883: Theodore Roosevelt begins purchasing ranches in the Dakota Territory. In 1887, his passion for hunting and the outdoors prompts him to establish the Boone-Crockett Club, named after two legendary woodsmen.
1933: Aldo Leopold publishes the first U.S. textbook on game management, reflecting a growing societal concern for the responsible management of America's land, animals, and resources.
Today: Lumber companies in the Pacific Northwest seek legal protection to harvest old-growth forests, despite the risk of causing the extinction of the spotted owl.
1887: The Dawes General Allotment Act is passed, resulting in two-thirds of Indian reservation lands being transferred to white ownership.
1934: The Wheeler-Howard Act, also known as the Indian Reorganization Act, aims to improve the dire conditions on many reservations, which are attributed to the earlier Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887.
Today: The Chickasaw tribe, which had around 4,000 members when forcibly relocated to Oklahoma in the 1830s, now has approximately 25,000 descendants.
Literary Precedents
Scholars have identified numerous literary antecedents to "The Bear." One of the most significant is Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick" (1851), where the pursuit of the whale Moby Dick in a vast ocean culminates in a three-day chase. In Melville's work, the whale embodies intricate symbolic meanings that provoke deep questions about humanity's relationship with nature and the cosmos. Additionally, the traditional hunting narratives of the American wilderness are of notable interest. Many of these tales have become integral to Western and Southwestern humor, such as those involving Davy Crockett. A particularly intriguing example is Thomas Bangs Thorpe's "The Big Bear of Arkansas" (1854), where an Arkansas native recounts his adventures chasing an elusive bear. Faulkner's story also incorporates a fair amount of humor. For instance, there is a scene where Isaac supervises the camp cook, who decides to try hunting despite having no prior experience. Another crucial precursor is Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" (1854), which provides a transcendental and environmentalist perspective on nature that likely influenced Faulkner's thoughts. However, in Faulkner's view, the life force of nature appears less deliberate and self-aware. He portrays a transcendent nature that seems to achieve self-consciousness only through human reflection.
Media Adaptations
"The Bear" was adapted into a film by Frank Stokes in 1972. This version, which omits the fourth section of the story, is available on videocassette from AIMS Media.
In 1980, Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation produced another film adaptation of "The Bear." This version also excludes section four and is accessible on videocassette.
Barr Films released a similar video in 1981, concentrating on the story's hunting aspects.
In 1980, Bernard Wilets wrote and produced a reel-to-reel version, distributed by BFA Educational Media.
A cassette tape featuring several of Faulkner's stories is available under the title The Stories of William Faulkner Parts I and II. Narrated by Wolfram Kandinsky and Michael Kramer, it was published by Books on Tape in 1994.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Sources
Aiken, Charles, "A Geographical Approach to William Faulkner's 'The Bear'," in
Geographical Review, Vol. 71, no. 4, October 1981, pp. 446-459.
Brooks, Cleanth, William Faulkner: The Yoknapatawpha Country, Louisiana State University Press, 1963.
Grimwood, Michael, "Faulkner and the Vocational Liabilities of Black Characterization," in Faulkner and Race, edited by Doreen Fowler and Ann J. Abadie, University Press of Mississippi, 1987, pp. 255-271.
Lewis, R. W. B., "The Hero in the New World: William Faulkner's 'The Bear'," in Kenyon Review, Vol. XIII, no. 4, Autumn 1951, pp. 641-660.
Rudich, Norman, "Faulkner and the Sin of Private Property," in The Minnesota Review, Vol. 17, 1981, pp. 55-57.
Simpson, Lewis, An essay in Nine Essays in Modern Literature, edited by Donald E. Stanford, Louisiana University Press, 1965, p. 194.
Further Reading
Adams, Richard P., "Focus on William Faulkner's 'The Bear': Moses and the
Wilderness," in American Dreams, American Nightmares, edited by David
Madden, Southern Illinois University Press, 1970, pp. 129-135.
This article suggests Ike is unable to liberate anyone, despite his belief that it is his duty to do so.
Bear, Man and God: Eight Approaches to William Faulkner's "The Bear," edited by Francis Lee Utley, Lynn Z. Bloom, and Arthur F. Kinney, Random House, 1971.
Includes the story's text, source materials, excerpts from other Faulkner works, and several critical essays on the narrative.
Claridge, Laura P., "Isaac McCaslin's Failed Bid for Adulthood," American Literature, Vol. 55, no. 2, May 1983, pp. 241-251.
Claridge argues that Isaac "relinquishes," rather than "repudiates," his inheritance, indicating his lifelong inability to take action and, by doing so, to mature.
Hoffman, Daniel, "William Faulkner: 'The Bear'," in Landmarks of American Writing, edited by Henrig Cohen, Basic Books, Inc., 1969, pp. 341-352.
Hoffman's chapter on "The Bear" delves into several critical themes, including Ike's quest resembling that of a Grail Knight, the portrayal of Native Americans as instinctual beings versus the Christian concept of sin, and the juxtaposition of the primeval forest with the complex plantation society.
Kern, Alexander C., "Myth and Symbol in Criticism of Faulkner's 'The Bear'," in Myth and Symbol, edited by Bernice Slote, University of Nebraska Press, 1963, pp. 252-262.
Kern's paper explores the various symbols in the story, particularly the bear, the deer, and the snake.
Sundquist, Eric J., "The True Inheritance of Ike McCaslin," in Critical Essays on William Faulkner: The McCaslin Family, edited by Arthur F. Kinney, G. K. Hall, 1990.
Sundquist situates "The Bear" within the context of the McCaslin family saga and discusses the mythic archetypes of hunting present in the story.
Willis, Susan, "Aesthetics of the Rural Slum: Contradiction and Dependency in 'The Bear'," in Faulkner: New Perspectives, edited by Richard H. Broadhead, Prentice-Hall, 1983.
Willis examines "The Bear" as a narrative about the South's economic development, proposing the commissary and the wilderness as opposing elements of this growth.