You'll Shoot Your Eye Out
Unless your Ike/Isaac (the boy), that is.
What strikes me is the repetition of the words patience and humility. It emphasizes that the trip each year is less of a science and more of an art. Yes, they track Old Ben every year, but they always wait until the end of their trip. It's like Old Ben is the quest for the Holy Grail--many have tried, all have failed, and yet they try again. When describing hunting and the woods, it is always romantic language: passionate, embracing, etc. Shooting Old Ben is the ultimate "kleos" that they have all patiently waited for and now, towards the close of the first two chapters, the patience has run out.
I find it fitting that they attempt to take down a mighty bear whose connotations are that of an old, wise, careful watchman with a dog that is young, rash, and compulsive. They serve as great foils to each other.
Question: Am I the only one picking up on the repetition of certain numbers: three, five, seven, ten?
PS: I commented on Brenna and Will's posts.
What strikes me is the repetition of the words patience and humility. It emphasizes that the trip each year is less of a science and more of an art. Yes, they track Old Ben every year, but they always wait until the end of their trip. It's like Old Ben is the quest for the Holy Grail--many have tried, all have failed, and yet they try again. When describing hunting and the woods, it is always romantic language: passionate, embracing, etc. Shooting Old Ben is the ultimate "kleos" that they have all patiently waited for and now, towards the close of the first two chapters, the patience has run out.
I find it fitting that they attempt to take down a mighty bear whose connotations are that of an old, wise, careful watchman with a dog that is young, rash, and compulsive. They serve as great foils to each other.
Question: Am I the only one picking up on the repetition of certain numbers: three, five, seven, ten?
PS: I commented on Brenna and Will's posts.
I've never been hunting myself, but everyone around me who has gets really into it. Romantic? Artistic? I always hear that. There's a real passion behind it that goes beyond getting some meat or a trophy. Getting lost in Creation and inserting yourself directly into nature's food chain will do that, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteIt struck me when Major de Spain said that Old Ben "has broken the rules." Maybe this isn't a quest to the hunters so much as a chess match of sorts. They don't just want to stop a bear, they want to win the game it's led them on for so many years.
Life gives us tasks and goals that sometimes consume us. Natalie, the Holy Grail reference is great. Every hobby or career has that coveted trophy or position. It is interesting to watch the passion behind the hunt blossom to its fulfillment. As Sophia says, "a group of sweaty old men" getting excited at the prospect of finally reaching their goals comes off as respectable and comical at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny when you think about it. God creates a bear that out-smarts men for years like a trickster. So I can definitely see de Spain's opinion on the chess match, Will.