Bear Comes and Goes Walking
Working Title XII
“He had to talk about something,” his father said. Then he said, “He was talking about truth. Truth doesn’t change. Truth is one thing. It covers all things which touch the heart—honor and pride and pity and justice and courage and love. Do you see now?” -William Faulkner, The Bear
William Faulkner’s story, "The Bear" is his most intense, focused, and symbolic exploration of the relationship of man and nature. Old Ben, the legendary bear, is a symbol of the power and inscrutability of nature - he is nearly immortal, nearly invulnerable, capable of overpowering virtually anything, and capable of wreaking havoc on human settlements and establishments – possessing traits no bear has in real life, but committing acts bears collectively often are accused of. The men in Faulkner’s story, who put their minds to work on the single purpose of hunting him, are in some way representative of man's drive to control nature, much in the same way people are trying to do now. Hunting can be a noble and respectful act. It is, arguably, a necessary one as often wildlife population would otherwise exceed sustainable numbers in relation to habitat. Yet, the question might be well asked, why is this so? Why are wildlife populations exceeding habitat capacity? Are animals procreating more than before? In the case of bears, at least, so recently considered too few to hunt, especially, one has to wonder. Perhaps bear hunting is, as it is in "The Bear," a symbol of man's attempt to conquer nature. Yet isn’t sprawling development and the consequent habitat loss, - in both story and reality - success at that effort? Yet, it is that very development necessitates, or excuses, the hunt. “He had listened to it for years: the long legend of corncribs rifled, of shotes and grown pigs and even calves carried bodily into the woods and devoured, of traps and deadfalls overthrown and dogs mangled and slain...a corridor of wreckage and destruction beginning back before he was born, through which sped, not fast but rather with the ruthless and irresistible deliberation of a locomotive, the shaggy tremendous shape.” Does that sound like the sporadic, uncoordinated work of some 3,000 bear in the state, or of our own? Only over years are the men able to bring the mythic Old Ben down. But, like the wilderness, he is brought down in the end. And that is the point: We have already brought down the wilderness; we need not do it further. The death of Old Ben is a moving, devastating scene. There is something almost wild about Boon Hogganbeck, Old Ben's killer, himself, trying desperately to fix his gun so that he can shoot the squirrels and shouting at Isaac that they are his, is certainly an unsettling metaphor for the destructiveness and possessiveness of human civilization – as is Florida’s recently-past and future anticipated bear hunts are.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
William Faulkner's "The Bear" is truly a rich and complex narrative, exploring the intricate dance between man and nature. Old Ben, as you mentioned, embodies the untamed spirit and raw power of the wilderness, becoming more than just a bear—he is a symbol of nature's mystery and majesty.
The relentless pursuit of Old Ben by the hunters reflects humanity's perpetual struggle to assert control over the natural world. It’s a poignant commentary on our relationship with the environment, revealing both our respect and our destructiveness. The death of Old Ben, and Boon Hogganbeck's wild desperation, starkly symbolizes the often-tragic outcomes of this struggle.
Your insight into the necessity of hunting for population control due to habitat loss adds another layer to this discussion. It underscores the complexity of human interventions in nature—we create problems through our development and then justify further intervention as a solution.
Faulkner's narrative is a powerful reminder of the need to find a balance in our relationship with the natural world. The death of the wilderness, as symbolized by Old Ben, serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked human ambition and expansion.
"Go Down, Moses" is composed of seven interconnected stories that weave together the lives and legacies of the McCaslin family and their descendants. Here's a brief summary of each story and their connections:
Was: The story introduces Isaac ("Ike") McCaslin and his family’s history. It focuses on an adventure involving a chase to capture a runaway slave named Tomey’s Turl. This story sets the stage for the themes of slavery, ownership, and family bonds.
The Fire and the Hearth: This story delves into the life of Lucas Beauchamp, an African American descendant of the McCaslin family. It explores themes of racial identity and inheritance as Lucas fights to maintain control over his land and legacy.
Pantaloon in Black: This tale centers around Rider, an African American man mourning the loss of his wife. It highlights the grief and struggles faced by the African American community in the South.
The Old People: In this story, a young Ike McCaslin learns about his heritage and the importance of nature and hunting from an elder mentor, Sam Fathers. It underscores the connection between humans and the natural world.
The Bear: This is the centerpiece of the book, chronicling Ike’s coming-of-age and his experiences hunting the legendary bear, Old Ben. It symbolizes the clash between man and nature, and Ike's eventual renunciation of his inheritance due to the moral weight of his family's history with slavery.
Delta Autumn: Set in Ike’s later years, this story reflects on the passage of time and the changes in the South. Ike encounters a descendant of his family, revealing the enduring legacy of slavery and racial division.
Go Down, Moses: The final story focuses on the death of Mollie Beauchamp’s grandson, Butch. It brings together themes of family, loss, and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition.
Each story in "Go Down, Moses" contributes to the overarching narrative of the McCaslin family and their complex relationship with their land, their African American descendants, and the changing South. The interconnected stories create a rich tapestry that explores themes of heritage, race, identity, and the human connection to nature.
Faulkner's masterful storytelling binds these individual narratives into a cohesive and profound exploration of Southern history and legacy.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.