The Bear: 1

William Faulkner’s, The Bear, was the first work I have read by this author.  I found his writing style difficult to understand at times, and the subject of hunting somewhat hard to relate to.  However, I did enjoy Faulkner’s displays and descriptions of the awesomeness of nature.  The freedom and innocence portrayed through the wilderness, Old Bear, Sam Fathers, and Ike is so refreshing and pure.  I also enjoyed Faulkner’s inclusion of the Native American race and its tie to the land, which I feel is often overlooked.  Growing up in South Dakota has only proved that the Native Americans still very much feel this tie to their land, and it is incredibly destructive to their lives and pride when they are suppressed by the new people and development of what was once their land.  Although the character’s hard to keep straight and the narration seemed somewhat “stream-of-conscience,” I enjoyed this novel and its’ ties to nature.