This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
PERIOD 3 - THE BEAR THAT WASN'T
Today you read The Bear That Wasn't by Frank Tashlin. Please share with the class your thoughts about the story and be sure to post at least one comment on another classmate's reflective post.
Mr. Gallagher
51 comments:
Brian Doran
said...
I though the the story "The Bear That Wasn't" was very interesting. Clearly the bear was a bear but through the ignorance of all the workers he was seen as a "silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat." After all of these people told him that he wasn't a bear he just went with it and after when winter came around he didnt hibernate, until he realized that it didnt matter what anyone else said it was up to him to know his true identity.
My thoughts about the story was that it was bad that no one believed the bear was a bear no even the other bears and I also like the story because it was short. But at least the bear believed that hhe was a bear.
I think this story is about all the pressures one faces to fit a certain steryotype in society. The bear was pressured by the vice prinicples and the other bears into bellieving that it wasn't actually a bear. In truth, the bear is the only one who can define his identity. It may have taken the bear time to realize this, but it gave him a better understaning of who he is so he can define who he is compared to other people in his society.
I think this story shows the importance of knowing who you are and your identity, regardless of what people tell you. Because the bear let himself be persuaded that he wasn't a bear, he had to work in the factory for a long time and then almost froze during the winter. However, in the end, he realized that despite what the factory people had told him, he was a bear and so he accepted himself as a bear, which was good because then he could hibernate.
The story to me was a little bit upsetting. The fact that people will believe what people tell them means that there is a possibility for us to be maniuplated and controled and I dont not like that feeling. The more upsetting thing to me is that when the next winter comes the bear actually believes that he is a person who needs a shave and wears a fur coat. His instincts tell him to look for a cave but he goes against them because he believes what everyone has told him what he is. Even though this story is simple in the way it was written it has a very prudent point to make. That point is you know who or what you are. Dont let anybody else tell you otherwise. Because in this world there are many things that you cannot control, but one of them is your Identity. Dont let anyone ever tell you who you are or who you should be.
I think that the bear did the right thing throughout the story by being strong-willed and determined. He was determined to prove all the vice presidents, the general manager, the circus bears, and the zoo bears that he was not just a silly man, but that he was actually a bear. Throughout the story the factory workers tried to change the identity of the bear. I think that is unfair because no one has the right to tell the bear what his identity is. The bear should be able to decide what his identity is and no one has the right to decide that for him. He was strong-willed and determined throughout the whole novel to prove everyone wrong and stick to what his true identity is.
This story may have seemed like a comic, light book; but as the story progressed the dark undertone began to show. It questioned how we view people when they are in a specific environment. Just because somebody is dressing in a certain way or hanging out with a certain group of people doesn't mean that that is their identity. Only you know who you really are, and just because people are telling you that you're something else doesn't make it true. The bear found this out after being told that he was not a bear so many times that he actually believed it, but when winter time came and his instincts took hold, he knew that he needed to hibernate as a bear. Your identity is your identity, and nothing that anybody thinks or says to you can change it.
I think that the short story "The Bear That Wasn't" is a concise way to make an important point. I believe that it portrays the important message that your opinion about yourself is more important than the opinion others may have about you. Also just because a lot of people may tell you something, that doesn't make it the truth. I like the story because it teaches you this important life lesson and does it in an easy to read picture book.
After reading this story, i feel that it was unfair for the factory workers to try and change the bear's identity. They were the ones who came in and tried to build over the bear's environment. The bear lived there first; therefore, they have no right to say that the bear is not a bear and he should be working in the factory. It is sad that the bear was not strong enough in the beginning to stand up for his own identity. The bear's identity is very important and no one should try to tell him who he is and who he isnt.
I thought it was mean that the humans built over the bear’s habitat and when he tried leaving the factory nobody believed that he was a bear. I also think that the bear was living in a world of ignorance because nobody wanted to listen to him when he told them he was a bear so after a while he just went along with it and didn’t hibernate. He finally realized that he wasn’t what everybody else was saying he was and hibernated.
I feel indifferent about the book. I thought that it was fun and easy to read, but I really do not have any real feelings to express towards the book. Although, I do think that there is a message in the book. I think that message is: In a world like today, a person is judged so much by everyone, that people will actually start to believe that they are what these people say they are. The world can twist and morph other people's perspective on a person, as well as a persons perspective on themselves.
I feel indifferent about the book. I thought that it was fun and easy to read, but I really do not have any real feelings to express towards the book. Although, I do think that there is a message in the book. I think that message is: In a world like today, a person is judged so much by everyone, that people will actually start to believe that they are what these people say they are. The world can twist and morph other people's perspective on a person, as well as a persons poerspective on themselves.
I agree wiith Brian and Erica the bear shouldn't let any tell him who he is and isn't because he knows he is a bear and he should just believe of who he is and no one can't tell him so.
I agree with anna. I think that the bear was the only one who could define his own identity. Just liek in the real world, people are pressure dby society to fit into a certain social circle or a certain stereotype of how we are supposed to be. But we are th eonly ones who can define our identities, and no one else.
The bear that wasn't is an example of someone lossing their real identity and getting labeled a new identity based on what people think. The bear did the right thing at the end by identifying himself as a bear and hibernating again. People themselves should choose who they are, not other people.
I enjoyed the story "The Bear That Wasn't" because at the end, the bear realized that it didnt matter what other people thought about him, and he just went with what he believed. He took what the ignorant people and bears said about him and didn"t listen to it about being a factory worker who needs to shave and wears a fur coat. After freezing in the cold, the bear then decided to do what he wanted to do and hibernate.
I agree with what Anna said. She has an excellent point in saying that there is a lot of pressure to fit into a stereotype but ultimately accepting yourself for who you are is what's best.
I think that this story relates alot to today's society. So many people believe something, but after being constantly told otherwise give into peer pressure and believe what everyone else is saying. The bear truely believed he was a bear, but so many people told him otherwise that he just accepted the fact that he was "a silly man who needed a shave and wears a fur coat."
In my opinion, "The Bear That Wasn't" was a story about the bear and discovering his/her identity. In the beginning of the story, the bear is confident in knowing that he/she is a bear. He/she hibernates and then his/her identity comes in question when the factory workers accuse him/her of not being a bear. This shows that people should not question other people's beliefs and who they are. Also, along those lines, the bear should always stick to what he/she believes and how he/she was raised. No one has the right to question another person/thing and say they are not what they are. In conclusion, the author portrays the bear who questions his/her indetity when other people question him/her but then he/she realizes that other people cannot tell him/her who he/she should be and returns to his values that make him/her who he/she is; which included returning to hibernation.
The story "The Bear That Wasn't" was a good simple story that sent the message of how people's minds can be changed when they hear something enough. The bear knew he was a bear but since he kept hearing that he wasn't, he started to believe it. This is how the ignorance of other can spread and be almost like a disease. But in the end the bear knew who he really was, regardless of what others thought.
I found the story represented a microcosm of the world in which we live in. The bear was told time and time again that he wasn't who he knew he was, and that his opinion didn't matter. It seemed that the bear actually believed, for a little bit, that he was just a "silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat." However, near the end of the story, he realized that he was truly a bear and that nothing anybody else said could change his identity.
I think this story shows how some people think only one way, especially if it’s been the same their entire life. Maybe to the general manager, the foreman, the presidents, the vice presidents and those bears, the bear cannot be bear because they probably all grew up seeing bears in the zoo or circus or for the bears, being in a cage or the circus their entire life even if it’s wrong. This story shows that people tend to only have one mind set, but really everyone has a different opinion and different perspective. Sometimes though, people have been so influenced by everyone else’s opinion that they can lose their own, like the bear no longer believing that he’s a bear anymore. To all those people and zoo bears, the bear’s opinion didn’t matter anymore, and he was forced to live with their idea of what the bear was, a silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat. This happens a lot in today’s world; especially in high school where everyone wants to be like everyone else but even though everyone one of us is different. I agree with Anna’s comment on how this story represents the pressures to fit to society because we all want to be part of something even if we feel different.
I agree with what you are saying, Erica. It is sad that the bear can't stand up for himself, however his ability to overcome such pressures of the vice presidents shows how society can ultimately shape your identity. While people forced the bear to believe it was not a bear, the beat was able to overcome their pressure and realize that he in fact was a bear. He avaioded being identified by the people surrounding him, and rather created his own identification as someone who could overcome those around him.
"The Bear That Wasn't" shows the influence a multiple of people had on an individual, and it didn't matter that it was a larger and scarier animal. The workers negect of blindlessly raiding a forsest and building a factory proves that the company were way to straightforward and one way thinking not caring what was in their path,and the bear not being in those specific places made him not a bear. Just because things are that way, doesn't mean it always has to be true.
This story about "The Bear that Wasn't" I thought was pretty good it showed that the bear was very persistent and didn't give up hope that he was a bear, it was only until after the other bears said that he wasnt a bear was when he decided to work as a human. When the factory closed down he walked slowly behind, then eventually looked up in the sky and saw the geese flying south, and automatically knew winter was coming instead of hibernating he stayed there then realized that he actually was a bear and it didnt matter what the others said. So he proceeded to find himself a cave and be a bear.
I agree with anna when she said that "this story is about all the pressures one faces to fit a certain stereotype in society". I agree with this because the bear faces similar pressures that we do in todays society. The vice presidents are trying to tell the bear what he is and what his identity is. They do not have the right to tell the bear what his identity is, only the bear has that right. People in our society go through the same thing, they try to be someone they arent in order to fit in for a certain group. I think the bear made the right choice by sticking to his true identity at the end.
I liked the story. When the Bear kept being told he was not a bear, it reminded me of the book 1984, that I read over the summer. The Bear, though, finally realizes that he is a Bear at the end when he is hibernating. That’s a better ending then in 1984!
I agree very much with Anna, how the bear faced people telling him to fit into a certain stereotype and how that only the bear himself knows who exactly he is.
I agree with Jesse that just because people may tell you something, it does not make it the truth. I also second that i enjoyed the story because it teaches a valuable lesson about identity and believing in youself.
I agree with Jesse, the book does portray that the only opinion that should matter to you is your own. That you shouldn't let other people convince you of something because they could easily be wrong.
I felt bad that no one in the story beleived that the bear was really a bear. Everyone thought that he was crazy and silly. It seemed as though everyone was against him calling him a liar saying that he was not a bear. When really he was telling the truth.I would hate to be in a situation where everyone tries to tell you that your not something when they do not know the truth. I also felt that all the characters in the story was leaded by ignorance toward what bears were. For example, the vice presidents were saying how bears are only in zoo and circuses. when really there could obviously be wild bears out there.
I agree with Ncik's comment that if someone is told something about themselves enough times that they may begin to actually believe it themselves. Other people's opinions can begin to morph or alter your view on your own identity.
I agree with Andy Kinsman. You can not control a lot of things in life but you should be able to control your identity. If you can't bad things can happen like manipulation.
I liked the story, “The Bear that Wasn’t.” I think the bear had a strong will to keep fighting against the factory workers that were against who he/she was. Their labeling of the bear was unjust. The workers thought that just because he was not like some other bears they knew, he was not a bear. I liked that in the end, the bear kept his true identity.
I thought the story "The Bear That Wasn't" was very interesting.It reflects on real life very well by showing how other people can assume things about you but only you know the real truth.
I agree with what Anna said. I think that this story is a metaphor for the peer pressures in today's society and only the bear himself should decide his identity. I also strongly agree with Andy when he says no one should ever decide who you are. You are your own person, and no one should ever tell you what kind of person you should be.
The story provided valuable insight into society's tendency to impose common values upon the individual, and that adhering to these values without question, as an individual, will ultimately lead to suffering.
I agree with Jenna the bear did do the right thing by sticking to what he knew inside and at the end of the story he continued to be the bear he knew he was.
I agree with Tom Rafferty. The bear did not lose his identidy just because others thought he was not a bear. He kept believing and in the end chose for himself that he was a bear.
I agree with Laura Heatherman. I think that "people should not question other people's beliefs and who they are." It can hurt the victim to the point that they do not believe in themself and they only believe what people have been saying about them.
I thought the vice presidents were so bad and rude that they don't believe what bear saying. They don't recognize bear's true identity. They just said their thinking to the bear, what they wanted to say. Also they don't have tolerance and respects to the others. I think this story shows us about today's upsetting society.
I like the point that you made, Jesse, about how the story is saying that just because everybody agrees on something as the truth, doesn't make it true or right. I'm sure that you could talk to a group of people who will all say that the moon landing never happened, but that doesn't mean it is the truth. Most likely Neil Armstrong did step on the moon, but just because a bunch of people are going to tell me that he didn't doesn't mean that nobody has ever been to the moon.
In my opinion, Heather Mannarino had one of the best points I've seen because i never though of all the other peoples perspectives. I thought so much about the personal issues that the bear has to deal with because of the environment that he is in, but I never thought about why those people kept telling him that. How come the vice presidents kept telling the bear he was not who he was? Was it due to their strict minded thinking?
i tottallyyyyy agree with Caroline Dennett. over and over again the bear is told something that-to an onviewer-is completely absurd and sadly starts to believe it. it takes a dramatic experience such as almost freezing to death for him to realize that the workers clearly dont know anything. this book was amazing, i feel like it showed realistically how a large group of people act and will fall into whatever alot of people say and claim just because people or a number of people say it.overall i really enjoyed the book and will definitly recommend it to other people :)
I agree with what Evan Rodriguez said. I liked how he pointed out that the workers "blindlessly" raided the bears forest and then tried to convince him that he was a certain thing, even though he knew he was not such.
51 comments:
I though the the story "The Bear That Wasn't" was very interesting. Clearly the bear was a bear but through the ignorance of all the workers he was seen as a "silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat." After all of these people told him that he wasn't a bear he just went with it and after when winter came around he didnt hibernate, until he realized that it didnt matter what anyone else said it was up to him to know his true identity.
My thoughts about the story was that it was bad that no one believed the bear was a bear no even the other bears and I also like the story because it was short. But at least the bear believed that hhe was a bear.
I think this story is about all the pressures one faces to fit a certain steryotype in society. The bear was pressured by the vice prinicples and the other bears into bellieving that it wasn't actually a bear. In truth, the bear is the only one who can define his identity. It may have taken the bear time to realize this, but it gave him a better understaning of who he is so he can define who he is compared to other people in his society.
I think this story shows the importance of knowing who you are and your identity, regardless of what people tell you. Because the bear let himself be persuaded that he wasn't a bear, he had to work in the factory for a long time and then almost froze during the winter. However, in the end, he realized that despite what the factory people had told him, he was a bear and so he accepted himself as a bear, which was good because then he could hibernate.
The story to me was a little bit upsetting. The fact that people will believe what people tell them means that there is a possibility for us to be maniuplated and controled and I dont not like that feeling. The more upsetting thing to me is that when the next winter comes the bear actually believes that he is a person who needs a shave and wears a fur coat. His instincts tell him to look for a cave but he goes against them because he believes what everyone has told him what he is. Even though this story is simple in the way it was written it has a very prudent point to make. That point is you know who or what you are. Dont let anybody else tell you otherwise. Because in this world there are many things that you cannot control, but one of them is your Identity. Dont let anyone ever tell you who you are or who you should be.
I think that the bear did the right thing throughout the story by being strong-willed and determined. He was determined to prove all the vice presidents, the general manager, the circus bears, and the zoo bears that he was not just a silly man, but that he was actually a bear. Throughout the story the factory workers tried to change the identity of the bear. I think that is unfair because no one has the right to tell the bear what his identity is. The bear should be able to decide what his identity is and no one has the right to decide that for him. He was strong-willed and determined throughout the whole novel to prove everyone wrong and stick to what his true identity is.
This story may have seemed like a comic, light book; but as the story progressed the dark undertone began to show. It questioned how we view people when they are in a specific environment. Just because somebody is dressing in a certain way or hanging out with a certain group of people doesn't mean that that is their identity. Only you know who you really are, and just because people are telling you that you're something else doesn't make it true. The bear found this out after being told that he was not a bear so many times that he actually believed it, but when winter time came and his instincts took hold, he knew that he needed to hibernate as a bear. Your identity is your identity, and nothing that anybody thinks or says to you can change it.
I think that the short story "The Bear That Wasn't" is a concise way to make an important point. I believe that it portrays the important message that your opinion about yourself is more important than the opinion others may have about you. Also just because a lot of people may tell you something, that doesn't make it the truth. I like the story because it teaches you this important life lesson and does it in an easy to read picture book.
After reading this story, i feel that it was unfair for the factory workers to try and change the bear's identity. They were the ones who came in and tried to build over the bear's environment. The bear lived there first; therefore, they have no right to say that the bear is not a bear and he should be working in the factory. It is sad that the bear was not strong enough in the beginning to stand up for his own identity. The bear's identity is very important and no one should try to tell him who he is and who he isnt.
I thought it was mean that the humans built over the bear’s habitat and when he tried leaving the factory nobody believed that he was a bear. I also think that the bear was living in a world of ignorance because nobody wanted to listen to him when he told them he was a bear so after a while he just went along with it and didn’t hibernate. He finally realized that he wasn’t what everybody else was saying he was and hibernated.
I feel indifferent about the book. I thought that it was fun and easy to read, but I really do not have any real feelings to express towards the book. Although, I do think that there is a message in the book. I think that message is: In a world like today, a person is judged so much by everyone, that people will actually start to believe that they are what these people say they are. The world can twist and morph other people's perspective on a person, as well as a persons perspective on themselves.
I feel indifferent about the book. I thought that it was fun and easy to read, but I really do not have any real feelings to express towards the book. Although, I do think that there is a message in the book. I think that message is: In a world like today, a person is judged so much by everyone, that people will actually start to believe that they are what these people say they are. The world can twist and morph other people's perspective on a person, as well as a persons poerspective on themselves.
I agree wiith Brian and Erica the bear shouldn't let any tell him who he is and isn't because he knows he is a bear and he should just believe of who he is and no one can't tell him so.
I agree with anna. I think that the bear was the only one who could define his own identity. Just liek in the real world, people are pressure dby society to fit into a certain social circle or a certain stereotype of how we are supposed to be. But we are th eonly ones who can define our identities, and no one else.
The bear that wasn't is an example of someone lossing their real identity and getting labeled a new identity based on what people think. The bear did the right thing at the end by identifying himself as a bear and hibernating again. People themselves should choose who they are, not other people.
I enjoyed the story "The Bear That Wasn't" because at the end, the bear realized that it didnt matter what other people thought about him, and he just went with what he believed. He took what the ignorant people and bears said about him and didn"t listen to it about being a factory worker who needs to shave and wears a fur coat. After freezing in the cold, the bear then decided to do what he wanted to do and hibernate.
I agree with what Anna said. She has an excellent point in saying that there is a lot of pressure to fit into a stereotype but ultimately accepting yourself for who you are is what's best.
I think that this story relates alot to today's society. So many people believe something, but after being constantly told otherwise give into peer pressure and believe what everyone else is saying. The bear truely believed he was a bear, but so many people told him otherwise that he just accepted the fact that he was "a silly man who needed a shave and wears a fur coat."
In my opinion, "The Bear That Wasn't" was a story about the bear and discovering his/her identity. In the beginning of the story, the bear is confident in knowing that he/she is a bear. He/she hibernates and then his/her identity comes in question when the factory workers accuse him/her of not being a bear. This shows that people should not question other people's beliefs and who they are. Also, along those lines, the bear should always stick to what he/she believes and how he/she was raised. No one has the right to question another person/thing and say they are not what they are. In conclusion, the author portrays the bear who questions his/her indetity when other people question him/her but then he/she realizes that other people cannot tell him/her who he/she should be and returns to his values that make him/her who he/she is; which included returning to hibernation.
The story "The Bear That Wasn't" was a good simple story that sent the message of how people's minds can be changed when they hear something enough. The bear knew he was a bear but since he kept hearing that he wasn't, he started to believe it. This is how the ignorance of other can spread and be almost like a disease. But in the end the bear knew who he really was, regardless of what others thought.
I found the story represented a microcosm of the world in which we live in. The bear was told time and time again that he wasn't who he knew he was, and that his opinion didn't matter. It seemed that the bear actually believed, for a little bit, that he was just a "silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat." However, near the end of the story, he realized that he was truly a bear and that nothing anybody else said could change his identity.
I agree with pretty much everyone but I really like what Anna had to say about the story it made alot of sence.
I think this story shows how some people think only one way, especially if it’s been the same their entire life. Maybe to the general manager, the foreman, the presidents, the vice presidents and those bears, the bear cannot be bear because they probably all grew up seeing bears in the zoo or circus or for the bears, being in a cage or the circus their entire life even if it’s wrong. This story shows that people tend to only have one mind set, but really everyone has a different opinion and different perspective.
Sometimes though, people have been so influenced by everyone else’s opinion that they can lose their own, like the bear no longer believing that he’s a bear anymore. To all those people and zoo bears, the bear’s opinion didn’t matter anymore, and he was forced to live with their idea of what the bear was, a silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat. This happens a lot in today’s world; especially in high school where everyone wants to be like everyone else but even though everyone one of us is different. I agree with Anna’s comment on how this story represents the pressures to fit to society because we all want to be part of something even if we feel different.
I also agree with Marina that nobody wanted to believe the bear because they were ignorant
I agree with what you are saying, Erica. It is sad that the bear can't stand up for himself, however his ability to overcome such pressures of the vice presidents shows how society can ultimately shape your identity. While people forced the bear to believe it was not a bear, the beat was able to overcome their pressure and realize that he in fact was a bear. He avaioded being identified by the people surrounding him, and rather created his own identification as someone who could overcome those around him.
"The Bear That Wasn't" shows the influence a multiple of people had on an individual, and it didn't matter that it was a larger and scarier animal. The workers negect of blindlessly raiding a forsest and building a factory proves that the company were way to straightforward and one way thinking not caring what was in their path,and the bear not being in those specific places made him not a bear. Just because things are that way, doesn't mean it always has to be true.
This story about "The Bear that Wasn't" I thought was pretty good it showed that the bear was very persistent and didn't give up hope that he was a bear, it was only until after the other bears said that he wasnt a bear was when he decided to work as a human. When the factory closed down he walked slowly behind, then eventually looked up in the sky and saw the geese flying south, and automatically knew winter was coming instead of hibernating he stayed there then realized that he actually was a bear and it didnt matter what the others said. So he proceeded to find himself a cave and be a bear.
I agree with anna when she said that "this story is about all the pressures one faces to fit a certain stereotype in society". I agree with this because the bear faces similar pressures that we do in todays society. The vice presidents are trying to tell the bear what he is and what his identity is. They do not have the right to tell the bear what his identity is, only the bear has that right. People in our society go through the same thing, they try to be someone they arent in order to fit in for a certain group. I think the bear made the right choice by sticking to his true identity at the end.
I liked the story. When the Bear kept being told he was not a bear, it reminded me of the book 1984, that I read over the summer. The Bear, though, finally realizes that he is a Bear at the end when he is hibernating. That’s a better ending then in 1984!
I agree very much with Anna, how the bear faced people telling him to fit into a certain stereotype and how that only the bear himself knows who exactly he is.
I agree with Erica Price. This story is about ones identity and how know one should change your identity.
I agree with Jesse that just because people may tell you something, it does not make it the truth. I also second that i enjoyed the story because it teaches a valuable lesson about identity and believing in youself.
I agree with Jesse, the book does portray that the only opinion that should matter to you is your own. That you shouldn't let other people convince you of something because they could easily be wrong.
I felt bad that no one in the story beleived that the bear was really a bear. Everyone thought that he was crazy and silly. It seemed as though everyone was against him calling him a liar saying that he was not a bear. When really he was telling the truth.I would hate to be in a situation where everyone tries to tell you that your not something when they do not know the truth. I also felt that all the characters in the story was leaded by ignorance toward what bears were. For example, the vice presidents were saying how bears are only in zoo and circuses. when really there could obviously be wild bears out there.
I agree with Ncik's comment that if someone is told something about themselves enough times that they may begin to actually believe it themselves. Other people's opinions can begin to morph or alter your view on your own identity.
I agree with Andy Kinsman. You can not control a lot of things in life but you should be able to control your identity. If you can't bad things can happen like manipulation.
I liked the story, “The Bear that Wasn’t.” I think the bear had a strong will to keep fighting against the factory workers that were against who he/she was. Their labeling of the bear was unjust. The workers thought that just because he was not like some other bears they knew, he was not a bear. I liked that in the end, the bear kept his true identity.
I thought the story "The Bear That Wasn't" was very interesting.It reflects on real life very well by showing how other people can assume things about you but only you know the real truth.
I agree with what Doran had said, I had said something pretty similar to what he had posted.
I agree with what Anna said. I think that this story is a metaphor for the peer pressures in today's society and only the bear himself should decide his identity. I also strongly agree with Andy when he says no one should ever decide who you are. You are your own person, and no one should ever tell you what kind of person you should be.
The story provided valuable insight into society's tendency to impose common values upon the individual, and that adhering to these values without question, as an individual, will ultimately lead to suffering.
I agree with Brian Doran in that it takes you to know your own identity and that you can't let others decide it for you.
I agree with Jenna the bear did do the right thing by sticking to what he knew inside and at the end of the story he continued to be the bear he knew he was.
I agree with Tom Rafferty. The bear did not lose his identidy just because others thought he was not a bear. He kept believing and in the end chose for himself that he was a bear.
I agree with Laura Heatherman. I think that "people should not question other people's beliefs and who they are." It can hurt the victim to the point that they do not believe in themself and they only believe what people have been saying about them.
I thought the vice presidents were so bad and rude that they don't believe what bear saying. They don't recognize bear's true identity.
They just said their thinking to the bear, what they wanted to say. Also they don't have tolerance and respects to the others. I think this story shows us about today's upsetting society.
I like the point that you made, Jesse, about how the story is saying that just because everybody agrees on something as the truth, doesn't make it true or right. I'm sure that you could talk to a group of people who will all say that the moon landing never happened, but that doesn't mean it is the truth. Most likely Neil Armstrong did step on the moon, but just because a bunch of people are going to tell me that he didn't doesn't mean that nobody has ever been to the moon.
In my opinion, Heather Mannarino had one of the best points I've seen because i never though of all the other peoples perspectives. I thought so much about the personal issues that the bear has to deal with because of the environment that he is in, but I never thought about why those people kept telling him that. How come the vice presidents kept telling the bear he was not who he was? Was it due to their strict minded thinking?
Very good post.
i really enjoyed the book " the bear that wasn't"
i tottallyyyyy agree with Caroline Dennett. over and over again the bear is told something that-to an onviewer-is completely absurd and sadly starts to believe it. it takes a dramatic experience such as almost freezing to death for him to realize that the workers clearly dont know anything. this book was amazing, i feel like it showed realistically how a large group of people act and will fall into whatever alot of people say and claim just because people or a number of people say it.overall i really enjoyed the book and will definitly recommend it to other people :)
I agree with what Evan Rodriguez said. I liked how he pointed out that the workers "blindlessly" raided the bears forest and then tried to convince him that he was a certain thing, even though he knew he was not such.
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