Parts 1 - 3 of The Bear are truly excellent and complicated, to the extent that I became deeply emotionally invested. At the beginning, however, this was not the situation. Faulkner's fanatical descriptions of the Holy Church of the Woods and his idolization of the bear were rather pesky. But as the story progressed, I gradually came to care not only for the bear and the dog but also, and even more so, for the people involved. The first parts form a great coming-of-age novel and a character study. I really liked how in Part 3, which seems like the culmination, climax, and closing of Parts 1 and 2, the focus shifts from Ike to Boon, who becomes the central character. Boon is a man with nuanced, sympathetic, and fascinating qualities. I also liked that Ike is wise beyond his years, serving as our window into the novel's world, observing selflessly and without judgment. Faulkner's writing is truly wonderful. I cared for Ike, for Boon, and for Sam. And also for the bear and the dead dog.

Then Part 4 came along, and it completely lost me. It was as if something had gone awry, and the magic that had been building up in the previous parts suddenly dissipated. I found myself disconnected from the story and the characters, and I struggled to understand where Faulkner was taking us. It was a disappointment after the engaging and captivating journey that the first three parts had been.

The term "absurdly eloquent country bumpkin core" might seem rather strange at first glance. It combines the idea of someone from a rural area being unexpectedly and perhaps even ridiculously articulate.

This concept could potentially refer to a character or a style that emerges from the countryside but defies the typical stereotypes associated with it. It might involve a person who, despite their humble beginnings and lack of formal education in the city, possess a unique charm and an ability to express themselves in a way that is both captivating and unexpected.

The "absurdly eloquent" aspect could imply that their speech or communication style is filled with exaggeration, humor, or a certain quirkiness that makes it stand out. It could be a form of self-expression that challenges the norms and expectations of the more refined and polished urban language.

Overall, the idea of "absurdly eloquent country bumpkin core" offers an interesting and perhaps even comical take on the diversity of language and communication styles that exist within a society. It reminds us that there is often more to a person than meets the eye and that even those from the most unlikely backgrounds can surprise us with their eloquence and charm.

I found this text rather challenging to read. It was akin to reading Moby Dick, filled with extremely long sentences that were stuffed with parentheses and seemed to go on line after line. In fact, some sentences were even longer than a page. However, I persevered, and I'm glad I did. The unusual punctuation in The Bear initially confused me for a while. But when I finally understood that the next quote was introduced as the last word in the preceding paragraph, it became quite helpful.

I adored the sometimes brutal portrayal of ordinary life that was both eye-opening and informative. This was the case in The Bear as well as in The Spotted Horses.

The Old Man rambled on with intricate descriptions of the plight of a convict who was separated from his work party by a flood. The ending, indeed, made the journey worthwhile.

If you are curious about Faulkner or about American history, these stories offer an education. But some hard work may be required. Just keep going, and a certain rhythm will develop.

We visited Faulkner's estate, Rowan Oak, in Oxford, Mississippi this past fall.

The moment I stepped onto that property, I was filled with a sense of inspiration to explore his literary works. Faulkner is truly a writer of immense depth, capable of painting vivid pictures with his words. His descriptive writing is both impressive and captivating.

However, as much as I wanted to, I found it difficult to get through his stories. For example, in "Spotted Horses," there is a scene where a cowboy attempts to wrangle a herd of horses. In the process, his vest gets ripped in two, but he plays it off as if it's no big deal, which I found hilarious. That kind of humor really appealed to me.

If you have the patience and enjoy very descriptive, repetitive writing, I would highly recommend giving Faulkner's works a try. But be prepared to take your time and really soak in the details. It's a rewarding experience for those who are willing to invest the effort.

The original statement "Too wordy. Not worth the effort." seems rather concise and perhaps a bit dismissive. However, it could be expanded and rewritten in a more detailed way.

For example, one might say "This piece of writing appears to be overly verbose. There is an abundance of words that seem to be used without much purpose or clarity. As a result, it becomes a tiresome task to read and understand. It doesn't seem to offer enough value or substance to justify the time and effort required to engage with it.

It might be beneficial to simplify and streamline the content, removing any unnecessary words or phrases. This would make it more accessible and easier to comprehend, potentially increasing its worth and appeal."

By expanding on the original statement in this way, we can gain a better understanding of the reasons behind the assessment and perhaps offer some suggestions for improvement.

I have only read "The Bear." This short story has left a deep impression on me. The author's vivid description makes the bear come alive in my mind. I can almost see its massive body, its powerful paws, and its fierce eyes. The story also explores the relationship between humans and nature. The bear represents the wild and untamed side of nature, while the humans in the story are trying to control and dominate it. This conflict leads to a tragic ending, which makes me think about the importance of respecting nature and living in harmony with it.

Although I have only read this one story, it has inspired me to read more works by the same author. I am curious to see how he explores other themes and how he uses language to create vivid and engaging stories. I believe that reading is a great way to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world, and I look forward to reading more in the future.

**Spotted Horses**

The Spotted Horses seem to be a topic that evokes a sense of wonder. The impression it gives is one of stunning prose, with incredibly detailed observations. It's like looking at the spectrum of mankind through the lens of these horses. The link provided https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted... might offer more in-depth information about them.

**The Bear**

For Ike, the bear represents both the primal force of nature and the unbridled freedom and indomitable independence of the human spirit. Hunting is analogous to man's attempt to control nature. Ike's decision not to kill the bear is a moral choice, rooted in his veneration of nature and his desire to break free from the heritage that haunts him. Just as he can choose not to kill the bear, he can also choose to deny his heritage. In this sense, the story has a dual meaning, existing on two levels simultaneously. It's truly humbling to think that someone could write such a short piece where the main subjects and their struggles are symbols. The bear symbolizes nature, and the young boy represents mankind as a whole. The age of the boy is significant, as it represents the young species that is mankind, while the old bear represents nature that has existed since time immemorial.

**Old Man**

The Old Man is the River, specifically the Mississippi during a record-breaking flood in 1927. The characters in this novella are not named, only referred to as the tall convict and the plump convict. The main character, however, is the river itself and the vast flooded plain that includes it. Faulkner brings the river to life with its moods and personality. The story is straightforward - a convict is sent in a skiff during the flood to rescue a pregnant woman in a tree. After that, he and the woman are blown downriver, and she ultimately gives birth. For several weeks, the convict makes his way back to the prison farm, bringing the skiff and the woman with him. Finally, he turns himself in and receives ten additional years to his sentence for having "escaped." It's a story of honor and the lure of security, of fate and irony, of man's implacable perseverance against impossible odds, and finally of choice and values. This story lingers long in the reader's mind and memory, as Faulkner has created a world that is circumscribed yet universal, specific but plumbing the depths of commonality. It's a masterful achievement.

The Bear is truly a remarkable masterpiece. In this work, Faulkner delves deep into the complex and profound themes of human relationship with the land, the past, and our responsibilities towards both.

He presents these ideas in a way that is both direct and yet still retains the unique and often challenging style that is characteristic of his writing.

Faulkner's exploration of our connection to the land is a central focus of the story. He shows how the land is not just a physical space, but a living entity that has its own history and significance.

Similarly, the past is not something that can be easily forgotten or ignored. It shapes our present and our future, and we have a responsibility to come to terms with it and learn from it.

Overall, The Bear is a powerful and thought-provoking work that forces us to consider our place in the world and our responsibilities towards the land and the past.

I have to put this down so many pages before finishing it. I don't know Faulkner's work well. I don't know much about him, but this writing makes me wonder if he dared to write a lot of it while intoxicated! Pages and pages of rambling madness in each of the three stories.

"Spotted Horses" is a humorous story of a con artist who fools a bunch of characters into buying horses they never wanted. It's complete madness.

"Old Man" may be a better story, but the writing style is still frustrating! These were written in the 1930s, but not so long ago that an educated writer like Faulkner should be unaware of run-on sentences, punctuation, and paragraphing.

I was able to follow "The Bear" well enough for more than half of it and was almost enjoying the adventure of the hunting story. But then the clarity stopped, as if Faulkner put this down and then came back to work on it after a long, long period of not even thinking about it. It becomes a wrecked confusion, and I wonder again where did this story just go?? So with about 60 pages left, I skipped to the last page to see how it ends and saw that at some point it does return to the meat of the story.

These short novels are not his greatest and are not what he is best known for. So I won't give up on Faulkner yet. I'll add "The Sound and the Fury", "As I Lay Dying", and maybe another or two to my list to read and hope that I find a better writer in his later work.

William Faulkner is undeniably one of America's most renowned and celebrated authors. His works have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

I firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore something written by this great author. Although I, personally, had a certain degree of disconnect with Faulkner's unique writing style, I still hold him in the highest regard for his numerous accomplishments as an author.

There is a special charm and depth in the works of literary masters like Faulkner. Their words have the power to transport us to different worlds, make us think deeply, and evoke a wide range of emotions.

I truly enjoy delving into the books of such masters and hope that more people will discover the joy of reading their works. Happy reading to all!

Very good. I will always remember LION, and not so much bear. In fact, LION is a dog, and perhaps the title should have been "LION the dog". LION is an amazing creature. It has a beautiful and shiny coat that catches everyone's attention. Its eyes are full of intelligence and loyalty. Whenever I see LION, it always greets me with enthusiasm and excitement. It loves to play and run around, bringing so much joy and laughter to my life. LION is not just a pet, but also a dear friend. I cherish every moment spent with it and will always hold it in my heart.