The Bear

Isaac McCaslin’s perspectives and development take center stage throughout “The Bear.” While the story critiques problematic attitudes and behaviors, Isaac serves as an admirable protagonist who demonstrates the possibility of overcoming such attitudes. Isaac’s primary motivations include his love of nature and his desire to escape the role assigned to him in what he views as a morally bankrupt system. As he explains to McCaslin, “I have got myself to have to live with for the rest of my life and all I want is peace to do it in” (274).

Throughout the text, Faulkner generally refers to Isaac as “the boy,” or simply “he” or “him,” rather than by name. This emphasis on Isaac’s youth prepares readers to expect a coming-of-age arc, including a defining moment where Isaac reaches maturity. Faulkner subverts expectations, however, by choosing not to demonstrate Isaac’s maturity at the expected climax, when Old Ben dies. Instead, Isaac plays little role in Old Ben’s death, but Old Ben plays a key role in Isaac’s development. Instead of a single heroic moment that demonstrates physical prowess typically associated with manhood, Faulkner presents Isaac’s thoughtfulness and decision-making process related to his inheritance as the encapsulation and natural result of his youthful experiences.