Honestly, in my simple reading of these chapters, I was impressed by the imagery surrounding the bear and imaginations of the bear. Even on page 185, the imagery starts. I can picture an older bear with a scarred foot, able to destroy large amounts of other animals, mangy haired, red- eyed, and powerful. That is just the imagination. Then, further on, in an actual sighting of the bear (p. 200), the simile to a bass sinking back into the depths gave an awesome picture of how the bear acts. It is in no hurry; it is not bothered with worry or malicious intent. It disappears in a lazy fashion- not a flash, a sprint, a jump- but a simple slip into darkness. I am a sucker for imagery, not because of a picture in my mind, but rather the slight tinge of feeling or emotion that comes with a beautiful masterpiece of words.
I think the reason I am so focused on this imagery is because of my own experience with hunting. I have seen a coyote with matted fur and brutal teeth lurking around. I have seen a hog covered in mud and bloodied up from a fight. I have seen a graceful, yet powerful buck disappear into the woods without the slightest sound. All of these pictures are brought to mind any time that I think of hunting. So, as Faulkner describes this bear, I slowly build the picture in my mind, and it intrigues me. It captivates me and brings me into the story. Once again, I am simply a sucker for good imagery, and this story does an immaculate job of painting not just a picture but a feeling of ominous beauty in my mind.
P.S. I commented on Brannen's post.
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