Pushing the Bear Literary Elements

Historical Fiction

North Carolina during the time of Native American resettlement by the white man

The point of view is that of Maritole, the protagonist, who is being ousted from her home by the white settlers.

Depressing and full of fear; a bubbling feeling of resentment; overwhelmingly sad; towards the end of the novel there is a slight feeling of hopel

The Cherokee are the protagonists, the white settlers the antagonists

There is conflict throughout the novel between Maritole and her mostly-estranged husband, Knowbowtie. The conflict begin when Maritole forgets to bring Knowbowtie's musket from the cabin and continues as he begins to criticize her and to vocalize his festering resentment of her.

The climax of the novel sees Maritole and Knowbowtie giving their marriage another try as they make a fresh start in Oklahoma, and attempt to rebuild not only their own family but the Cherokee nation.

When Maritole forgets to bring Knowbowtie's musket from the cabin, it foreshadows the rapid decline of their relationship and his growing feeling of emasculation.

The term "trail of tears" is actually an understatement in itself, because it implies sadness, but not the fear or the terrible number of deaths that took place along the journey.

The novel alludes to the Native American legend of the Great Bear, as Maritole feels that like her forbears in the legend who pushed hard against an actual bear, she and her Cherokee family are pushing against the bear of the white man and the difficulties of the journey they are undertaking.

There is much imagery connected to the Cherokee legends of the Great Bear, and also of the phoenix. The imagery is all connected with spirit animals and also with the Cherokee ancestors who were said to have been born out of the corn. The imagery is mystical but pertains to the beliefs that guide Maritole and her family.

The soldier who befriends Maritole, Williams, is a blessing to her because he gives her special treatment and makes her feel less alone. However, he is also a problem to her because he adds to the trouble within her marriage. In this way he is both protagonist and antagonist within the marriage and to Maritole herself.

There is a parallel between the loneliness felt by Williams, whose wife left him and took their child, and by Maritole, who has been left by Knowbowtie.

The Cherokee is a way of describing each individual person in the tribe.

The corn is personified in legend because it has legs and can move around, ultimately transforming itself into the ancestors of Maritole's generation.