Faulkner's "The Bear" Weapons Symbolism

[mausergern13]

Hello everybody, this is my first post and I really enjoy the site! I just wanted to know if any of you would like to discuss the symbolism in the scene in "The Bear" where the bear is killed. There seems to be some symbolism in that Boon cannot hit anything with a gun, and he rushes in to kill Old Ben with a knife instead. Was this scene in the story intended to reflect the need to "sacrifice" elements of manhood (like Ike had to give up his gun, compass, and watch earlier on) in order to become closer to nature and kill Old Ben? Or was it just Boon trying to save Lion? Also, the way they fell all together seemed like some sort of symbol that once the freedom and nature that Old Ben represented died, all mankind and his servants would fall as well. Any thoughts on this?

The last few lines with Boon and the broken gun seemed hypocritical. Man was finally penatrating nature with the R&R lines and sawmills, but yet man's technology was still made out as futile and ineffective. Can anyone please explain this to me?

Overall, it was a very thought-provocing story. I think I will read some more of William Faulkner's work.

Thanks for the help!

[TEND]

Hmm, I looked in my book of Faulkner short stories and found no stories titled 'The Bear.' Could you be referring to 'A Bear Hunt?' I"ll read it right now actually, and if it is in fact the same story, I will attempt to spark a bit of a discussion.


EDIT: Darn, seems it is not the same, and this happens to be one of the few Faulkner stories I don't seem to own... :mad:

[mausergern13]

I believe "The Bear" is part of the book Go Down Moses. It is supposedly one of his best works. Any help is really appreciated. This story had me thinking for days...

[Mary Sue]

Faulkner is a wonderful writer! I would recommend The Sound and The Fury to anyone who's discovering him for the first time. And after that, try Absalom, Absaolm! Neither one is what I'd call an "easy read," but if you like fascinating and compelling, you've got the right author.

[Virgil]

From a study guide on "The Bear": http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-thebear/



Introduction

Although several versions of "The Bear" exist, the one most commonly read comes from William Faulkner's 1942 novel, Go Down, Moses. Isaac (Ike) McCaslin, the young hero of "The Bear," remains a central figure throughout the novel as well. The story of a young man's development against a background of vanishing wilderness was well received by readers and critics alike. Today it appears in many anthologies. Faulkner did not add the long fourth section of the story until it appeared in Go Down, Moses, and he argued that its primary role was to connect the story to the rest of the novel. If read alone, the fourth section of "The Bear" should be omitted. Yet the fourth section puts into context the relationships and events that contnbuted to young Ike's upbringing in the woods. It is learned that Major deSpain and Colonel Compson received their commissions in the Civil War, an historical event of resounding importance In addition, Ike's decisions in the fourth section are primarily due to the lessons he has learned in the wilderness. Thus the fourth section shows how he translates the morality of the woods into social responsibility. Whether read alone or as part of the longer novel in which it eventually appeared,' "The Bear" provides a unique glimpse into the Mississippi region where Faulkner, himself an avid hunter, was born and raised. As Ike McCaslin learns about his family's past, Faulkner portrays a varied cast of characters in a tale about the wilderness destroyed by human greed, and a man who refuses to further this destructive trend.

[mausergern13]

Thanks, Virgil. The fact that it was meant to be in context helps a little. Anybody still care to dicuss the origional questions in the origional post? It seems there was huge significance to this part of the story, at least to me.

[spendle]

I would love to join your discussion about the short story "The Bear" by william Faulkner, but, I have yhet to read the story. After reading your posting and your questions about the story, I looked for it in my collection; I found it in an Norton Anthology of Short Fiction 3rd ed. I will read it this week and get back t0o you after I catch up. I really like William Faulkner's writing, we had to read "The Barn Burning" written by Faulkner in one of my Engllish class's last year. I wrote an essay concerning the effects of poverty on young children and I used the "Barn Burning" story to help me. Anyway, I will read "The Bear" and get back to you.

[bblefty]

I have a formal presentation due in a week on this specific topic...
I'm glad to see another point of view..because I really just analyzed the surface of the symbolism and how the bear represents the wilderness

the dieing wilderness in which the bear much like the massive wilderness may seem immortal when men are stabbing away at it. The very first part of the short story targets the symbolism directly. the symbolism goes away after the boy realizes the bear is real.

Ill keep this updated when I do all the research I should

could you elaborate upon what you mean about the bear symbolizing the death or somthing.

[george4209]

the bear story is one of 7 included in 'go down moses' and is usuakky not seen as a stand alone story.
boon destroying his gun is very hunorous to those of us who are 'annie oakley challenged' ( I could never hit a squirril either) boon prob. emptied the gun with 50 critters dancing around him and never hit a one.... the tree rats were having a field day making sport of the poor guy..... he needed to hunt with the knife. for some guys technology just does not work... better to get back to basics