The Bear

The Bear follows a young boy named Isaac McCaslin, who goes on numerous hunting trips into the wilderness with his uncle and other men. During these excursions, they come across a bear named Old Ben who has been killing and eating livestock from local farms.

The men are determined to hunt down and kill Old Ben. Over many years and hunting trips, different members of the group try and fail to kill the formidable Old Ben, who proves to be an extremely skilled and strong opponent, escaping injury each time.

Eventually, a man named Boon Hogganbeck succeeds in wounding Old Ben during an intense fight, but Old Ben still manages to escape and severely injures Boon in the process.

Years later, Isaac finally tracks down and kills Old Ben. He feels a twinge of sadness at killing such a majestic creature but also a sense of transition into manhood. Faulkner’s richly detailed story serves as an allegory for the journey from boyhood to manhood.

Facing dangers in the wilderness helps shape the young Isaac. It also portrays the balance between man and bear in the natural world, highlighting their entwined coëxistence. Old Ben is a noble and cunning opponent, nearly man’s equal.