Download Bear by Marian Engel: A Novel of Love and Nature
Bear by Marian Engel: A Controversial and Captivating Novel
If you are looking for a novel that will challenge your expectations, shock your senses, and intrigue your imagination, you might want to read Bear by Marian Engel. This novel, published in 1976, won the Governor General's Award for Fiction in Canada, but also sparked a lot of controversy and criticism for its explicit depiction of a sexual relationship between a woman and a bear. In this article, we will explore what Bear is about, why it is controversial, and why it is captivating. We will also provide a summary and an analysis of the novel, as well as some FAQs at the end.
bear marian engel free pdf
Introduction
What is Bear about?
Bear is a novel by Marian Engel, a Canadian author who was born in 1933 and died in 1985. She wrote several novels, short stories, and children's books, but Bear is her most famous and controversial work. Bear tells the story of Lou, a lonely and bored librarian who inherits a remote island from her uncle. She decides to spend some time on the island to catalog his library and escape from her dull life. However, she soon discovers that the island has another inhabitant: a large black bear who lives in a cage near the house. Lou becomes fascinated by the bear and gradually develops a complex and intimate relationship with him.
Why is Bear controversial?
Bear is controversial because it depicts a sexual relationship between a human and an animal in graphic detail. The novel does not shy away from describing Lou's physical and emotional attraction to the bear, as well as their sexual encounters. Some critics have called the novel obscene, pornographic, bestial, and immoral. Some have even accused Engel of promoting animal abuse and zoophilia. The novel has been banned in some countries and schools, and has been the subject of many debates and controversies over the years.
Why is Bear captivating?
Bear is captivating because it challenges the reader to question their assumptions about sexuality, nature, and identity. The novel does not present Lou's relationship with the bear as a simple fantasy or a perverse fetish. Rather, it explores the psychological and emotional aspects of her experience, as well as the historical and cultural contexts that shape her worldview. The novel also uses realistic details, allegorical elements, and humorous moments to create a rich and complex story that engages the reader's curiosity and empathy. The novel invites the reader to reflect on their own relationship with themselves, with others, and with nature.
Summary of Bear
The main character: Lou
Lou is a 27-year-old librarian who works at a historical institute in Toronto. She is unhappy with her life: she has no friends, no lover, no hobbies, no ambitions. She feels trapped in her routine and bored by her job. She has low self-esteem and suffers from depression. She also has a troubled past: she was orphaned at a young age, raised by an abusive aunt, and sexually molested by her cousin.
The setting: Cary's Island
Cary's Island is a remote island in northern Ontario that belongs to Lou's uncle, Colonel Cary. He was a wealthy and eccentric man who collected books, artifacts, and animals from all over the world. He died without leaving a will, and Lou inherited his estate. She decides to go to the island to catalog his library and sell his belongings. The island is isolated and wild, surrounded by forests and lakes. The only other people on the island are Homer and Lucy, an elderly couple who work as caretakers.
The plot: Lou's relationship with a bear
Soon after arriving on the island, Lou discovers that there is a bear living in a cage near the house. The bear is a large black male who was captured by Cary as a cub and kept as a pet. Lou is initially afraid of the bear, but also curious about him. She decides to free him from the cage and let him roam around the island. She also starts to feed him, play with him, and talk to him. She gradually develops a bond with the bear, who becomes her companion and protector. She also becomes sexually attracted to the bear, and initiates a sexual relationship with him. The bear responds to her advances, but also maintains his independence and unpredictability. Lou experiences a range of emotions and sensations with the bear: pleasure, pain, fear, joy, anger, love. She also learns more about herself, her history, and her culture through her interaction with the bear.
Analysis of Bear
The themes: loneliness, sexuality, nature, and identity
One of the main themes of Bear is loneliness. Lou is a lonely person who feels disconnected from herself and others. She has no meaningful relationships or passions in her life. She seeks solace in books, but finds them unsatisfying and irrelevant. She longs for intimacy and affection, but does not know how to find them or express them. Her relationship with the bear is a way for her to cope with her loneliness and fill the void in her heart.
Another theme of Bear is sexuality. Lou is a sexually repressed person who has never experienced sexual fulfillment or freedom. She has been traumatized by her past abuse and has internalized society's norms and expectations about sexuality. She feels ashamed and guilty about her sexual desires and fantasies. She also feels frustrated and dissatisfied with her sexual encounters with men, who treat her as an object or a toy. Her relationship with the bear is a way for her to explore her sexuality and discover new aspects of her body and mind.
A third theme of Bear is nature. Lou is a person who lives in an urban and artificial environment that alienates her from nature. She has little contact or knowledge of the natural world and its creatures. She also has little respect or appreciation for nature's beauty and diversity. She views nature as something to be exploited or controlled by humans. Her relationship with the bear is a way for her to reconnect with nature and learn from its wisdom and power.
A fourth theme of Bear is identity. Lou is a person who does not have a clear sense of who she is or what she wants. She has no personal goals or values that guide her actions or decisions. She also has no cultural or historical roots that anchor her identity or give her meaning. She is influenced by the dominant culture of white, male, colonialist society that oppresses and erases other cultures and perspectives. Her relationship with the bear is a way for her to question her identity and challenge her assumptions about herself and others.
The symbols: the bear, the library, and the island
One of the main symbols of Bear is the bear himself. The bear represents many things in the novel: he is a symbol of nature, of sexuality, of mystery, of freedom, of danger, of love. He is also a symbol of Lou's subconscious, of her repressed desires and fears, of her hidden potential and power. The bear is both a real animal and an imaginary figure, both a partner and an adversary, both a friend and an enemy.
Another symbol of Bear is the library on the island. The library represents Lou's profession, but also her prison. It is a place where she works, but also where she escapes from reality. It is a place where she finds knowledge, but also where she loses interest in life. It is a place where she preserves history, but also where she ignores the present.
A third symbol of Bear is the island itself. The island represents Lou's isolation, but also her liberation. It is a place where she is alone, but also where she finds company. It is a place where she is cut off from society, but also where she creates her own society. It is a place where she faces challenges, but also where she experiences growth.
The style: realism, allegory, and humor
The style of Bear is a combination of realism, allegory, and humor. The novel uses realistic details and descriptions to create a vivid and believable story. The novel also uses allegorical elements and metaphors to convey deeper meanings and messages. The novel also uses humor and irony to lighten the mood and criticize the absurdity and hypocrisy of society.
Conclusion
Restate the main points
In conclusion, Bear by Marian Engel is a controversial and captivating novel that tells the story of Lou, a lonely librarian who has a sexual relationship with a bear on a remote island. The novel explores the themes of loneliness, sexuality, nature, and identity through Lou's experience with the bear. The novel also uses the symbols of the bear, the library, and the island to represent different aspects of Lou's subconscious and reality. The novel also combines realism, allegory, and humor to create a rich and complex style.
Provide a personal opinion
Personally, I think Bear is a fascinating and challenging novel that deserves to be read and appreciated. I think the novel is not only a story of a woman and a bear, but also a story of a human and their inner self. I think the novel is not only a sexual fantasy, but also a psychological journey. I think the novel is not only a critique of society, but also a celebration of nature.
End with a call to action
If you are interested in reading Bear by Marian Engel, you can find it online for free at https://archive.org/details/bear00enge. You can also buy it from Amazon or other online bookstores. You can also check out other novels by Marian Engel, such as Monodromos, The Glassy Sea, or Lunatic Villas. You can also join online forums or book clubs to discuss Bear with other readers and share your thoughts and opinions.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Bear by Marian Engel:
Question
Answer
Is Bear based on a true story?
No, Bear is not based on a true story. It is a fictional novel that was inspired by Engel's imagination and research. However, some aspects of the novel are based on real facts or events. For example, Engel did visit an island in northern Ontario where she saw a bear in a cage. She also did some historical research on the fur trade and the Native American culture in Canada.
What is the genre of Bear?
Bear is difficult to classify into one genre. It has elements of different genres, such as romance, adventure, fantasy, horror, comedy, and satire. Some critics have called it a Gothic novel, a feminist novel, or a postmodern novel. Some have even created new terms to describe it, such as "eco-porn" or "bearotica". Ultimately, Bear is a unique and original novel that defies conventional labels.
What is the message of Bear?
Bear has different messages for different readers. Some possible messages are: - To embrace your sexuality and your nature without shame or fear. - To question your identity and your culture without prejudice or conformity. - To respect and appreciate nature and its creatures without exploitation or domination. - To find intimacy and happiness within yourself without dependence or isolation.
How did Bear win the Governor General's Award?
Bear won the Governor General's Award for Fiction in 1976, which is one of the most prestigious literary awards in Canada. The award is given by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of a jury of writers. The jury that selected Bear was composed of three Canadian authors: Margaret Laurence, Mordecai Richler, and Robert Weaver. They praised Bear for its originality, its courage, and its quality.
How did Engel react to the controversy over Bear?
Engel was aware of the controversy and criticism that Bear generated, but she did not let it affect her or her writing. She defended her novel as a serious and artistic work that was not meant to offend or shock anyone. She also said that she was not interested in the opinions of critics or reviewers, but only in the opinions of readers. She said that she wrote Bear for herself and for people who could understand and enjoy it.
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