The Clan of the Cave Bear

by Jean M. Auel

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Part I Summary

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Jean Auel's The Clan of the Cave Bear tells the tale of Ayla, a prehistoric girl. At the beginning of the novel, Ayla is just a child when a devastating earthquake takes the lives of her parents. Left to fend for herself, she wanders aimlessly for days, hungry and alone. In her hunger-induced delirium, Ayla stumbles into a valley inhabited by enormous cave lions. She narrowly escapes a lion attack by squeezing into a rock crevice, although one lion manages to scratch her left thigh. Driven by thirst, Ayla emerges from her hiding place and is discovered by a Clan woman named Iza, who rescues her.

Iza is a member of the Clan, a group of people searching for a new home after the earthquake destroyed their previous one. Brun, the group's leader, fears that the spirits are displeased with him. After several weeks, Brun decides they should turn back. Just before he announces this decision, Iza informs him that Ayla has found a suitable home for the Clan. The new cave is spacious and conveniently located near water, good weather, and food sources.

Brun allows Broud, the eldest son of his mate, to join the hunt for the first time. The successful hunt marks Broud's transition into manhood and allows the Clan to settle into the cave. However, Broud must share his coming-of-age ceremony with the naming ceremonies for two Clan infants and Ayla. He immediately resents Ayla's presence, hinting at future conflicts.

During the ceremony, Iza's brother, Creb, gives Ayla a name as if she were a typical Clan child. Iza is taken aback, as this means Ayla is now considered her daughter. Creb goes even further by assigning Ayla the Cave Lion as her totem, one of the most powerful male totems known to the Clan. The community is stunned by both the adoption and the totem. Ayla is now part of the Clan, and it falls to Creb and Iza to teach her how to become a proper Clan woman.

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Part II Summary