The Bear that Walks Like a Man
This poem explores the idea of a bear that has learned to walk upright like a human, blurring the lines between species and challenging societal norms. The speaker describes the bear's movements with a mix of fascination and unease, highlighting its awkward yet determined gait. Through this image, the poem touches on themes of identity, conformity, and the tension between nature and culture.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Social Commentary, Satire · 1,525 words
First lines
It would be a relief to meet a man who would tell honestly why he likes Artzibashev and some of the rest of the modern Russian realists. It would be a relief to have some young radical say: "Yes, I know Chekhov is dull and prolix, but then the atmosphere of his work is delightfully unwholesome, and every now and then there is something pleasantly morbid, like the man with phosphorous poisoning in 'The Steppe,' and his agreeable custom of eating live fish. And then there's dear Michael Artzibashev. Of course his style is no better than that of Laura Jean Libbey, and his plots are cheap melodrama, but you can't deny that he is consistently nasty. And I do like to read about sexual depravity."
What this Textopian page supports
The Bear that Walks Like a Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Criticism, Social Commentary, Satire, Philosophical, Cultural Critique
- Length: 1,525 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bear that Walks Like a Man by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Bear that Walks Like a Man?
- How does this short story by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Criticism first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Criticism — The text primarily critiques modern Russian literature and its reception, focusing on the quality and themes of various authors.
- Social Commentary — It addresses societal attitudes towards literature and the implications of literary tastes on cultural understanding.
- Satire — The writing employs humor and irony to critique the pretentiousness of literary enthusiasts and the quality of certain works.
- Philosophical — It explores deeper questions about morality, art, and the nature of literature in society.
Tags
Fable · Fantasy · Animal Story · Mythical Creature · Humanoid Animal · Literary Fiction · Short Story · Nature · Wildlife · Adventure · Mystery · Symbolism