The Clan of the Cave Bear

by Jean M. Auel

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Part IV Summary

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The concluding portion of The Clan of the Cave Bear details the Great Clan Meeting and its aftermath. Every seven years, all the Clans in the region gather for a grand festival, where they ritualistically kill a captive Cave Bear, raised from a cub by the host Clan, to commune with the Great Bear Spirit. During these gatherings, the medicine women from Iza's lineage prepare a unique narcotic drink for the Mog-urs and other men. Unfortunately, Iza is too unwell to make the trip, and the other Clans do not recognize Ayla as a woman of Iza's line. It is only when she bravely saves a young warrior injured by the enraged Cave Bear that the Clans finally accept her.

Ayla prepares the drink but inadvertently consumes some of it. The narcotic effects lead her to wander into the cave and witness the men's ceremonies. The situation worsens as Ayla, a woman, observes the most sacred Clan ceremony. She watches in horror as the Mog-urs consume the brains of the warrior killed by the Cave Bear earlier that night. Creb notices her presence and understands that the old traditions are ending.

Upon the Clan's return to the cave, they find Iza near death. Ayla desperately tries to save her, but it is too late. At twenty-nine, Iza passes away, considered an old woman, and is buried within the cave with the highest Clan honors.

Brun and Creb decide they are too old to continue their roles and pass them on to a new generation, resulting in disastrous outcomes. Broud agrees to take Ayla as his second woman but refuses to allow her to keep her son, shocking the Clan. He then demands Creb relocate his hearth to a colder, windier part of the cave. Although Ayla manages to suppress most of her anger over being separated from her child, she refuses to let Broud mistreat Creb. She confronts him and defies his commands. Broud, in his typical anger, orders the new Mog-ur, Groov, to curse Ayla with death. Groov hesitates but complies.

At that moment, the earth begins to shake, reminiscent of the novel's beginning. Ayla is cursed, and the cave is destroyed. Creb is discovered dead, lying over Iza's grave. Ayla slowly and calmly gathers her belongings to leave forever, securing promises from Brun and Uba to care for Durc. Her final act is to force Broud to acknowledge her presence, even in death. Ayla departs from the Clan.

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Part III Summary