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Analytical Essay

(The bear came over the mountain)

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Introduction

The short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" written by Alice Munro was published in

The New Yorker in the year 1999. The author presents two families that are living in a suburban

neighborhood in Ontario, which is located in Canada. In the first chapter of the book, the reader

is introduced to a privileged family as well as a woman named Fiona who has a pessimistic

outlook on life. This page has some background information about Munro, as well as an

investigation of the components of fiction, and a critique of the story written by several

unaffiliated critics.

Munro’s Biography

Alice Ann Laidlaw was born on July 10, 1931, but she used the nickname Alice Ann Munro to

conceal her identity (Thacker, 2013). She is a naturalized Canadian and spent her childhood in

the quaint village of Wingham, which is located in the province of Ontario. She became well-

known for the dexterity with which she built her short tales, which were published and read in

many parts of the globe. She authored short stories. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to her in

recognition of her literary contributions by the Swedish Academy. When Munro was a child, the

family moved to an affluent neighborhood. After completing his first two years of study in

English and journalism at Western Ontario, Munro made the decision to withdraw from the

program.

When she was 20 years old, she and her husband James Munro relocated to Vancouver after

getting married. Her husband's name is James Munro. In 1972, despite the fact that they had been

married for a while, her first marriage came to an end (Thacker, 2013). 1976 was the year when

she wed her second spouse. Even though she was turned down for publication by a number of
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publishers in her younger years, Munro never lost up on her goal of becoming a well-known

author. She has produced a number of novels, many of which have been translated into other

languages and published in other countries, where they have been hailed with critical praise. She

has achieved this level of success solely by her dogged dedication.

Analysis of the Story

The characters of "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" are a married couple named Grant and

Fiona who have been together for 45 years (Munro, 2013). As Fiona's memory continued to

weaken, her daughter said that "Fiona, who no longer went shopping alone, vanished from the

store while Grant was looking the other way." (Munro, 2013, paragraph 20) and will ultimately

result in Alzheimer's disease. Prior to moving Fiona to Meadowlakes, Grant makes an effort to

spend as much time as humanly feasible with her.

During the first month that Grant is separated from his wife, Fiona seems to forget about Grant

and begins a strong connection with another inmate called Aubrey. This occurs about the same

time that Grant is transferred to a different facility. Fiona's mental state and physical health

quickly deteriorate once Aubrey moves out of the nursing home. As a consequence of her lack of

motivation to take care of herself in any manner, including eating, washing, or otherwise

maintaining her health, her muscles are fading away. In the end, Grant's primary concern was for

Fiona's wellbeing, thus he assisted Aubrey in returning to the nursing home.

Because of the obstacles that they've had to surmount, the story's two primary heroes, Fiona and

Grant, each have a rich backstory that makes them complex and compelling (Munro, 2013). The

moment that Fiona was given a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, everything changed. Fiona is

obligated to go to Meadowlakes and make the necessary adjustments to her life after Grant's
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departure. After some time had passed, she stopped obsessing about Grant and began spending

more time with Aubrey. Even though Grant is aware that his wife is having an affair with another

guy, he chooses to put his wife's happiness ahead of his own desire to keep the marriage intact.

She may give some thought to bringing Aubrey back to Meadowlake to spend time with her

family once a week, for example. It was not a very far distance to go. Then, if she wanted a

break, Grant was surprised to hear himself advise that she take some time for herself if she felt

like she needed it. In accordance with (Munro, 2013, p. 160),

The author spent his childhood in a charming suburb in Ontario, and that community serves as

the backdrop for this short tale. The fictitious environment described in this article is completely

otherworldly. At Port Stanley, on a day that was both gorgeous and brisk. They were being

assaulted by the sand, which was rubbing against their cheeks, and the waves were throwing

large stones at their feet. According to what is said in the first paragraph of Munro (2013).

The author explores a variety of topics, including coming of age, romantic relationships, and

long-term partnerships. "I could never put up with being apart from her. She has an endless

supply of energy (Munro, 2013, para.3). Grant never spent the night away from Fiona; the

exception to this rule was the afternoons he spent with other women. Grant did not want to stray

away from Fiona at any time.

The title of the tale is a reference to the fairy tale "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" (Munro,

2013). This catchy tune for kids conjures up a mental picture that may be interpreted in several

ways. The lyrics of the song bemoan the unavoidable progression of time and change, which will

inevitably lead to a decline in the quality of life on the other side of the mountain. The argument

for Grant may be compared to both humorous and more serious types of literature (Munro,

2013). In spite of the fact that he has had several chances to divorce his wife, he continues to
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engage in unfaithful behavior with her. When the character makes the statement that she has

wasted her time trying to discourage the protagonist from engaging in adultery, the author is

referring to the other side of the mountain. The narrative centers on Grant's personal life and

takes place on the "other side of the mountain," as is often described.

Critical Review

According to Berrett (2021), a critic from the Mookse and the Gripes, The Bear Came Over the

Mountain (Munro, 2013) is a novel that thrills the reader and offers a sense of intrigue that

makes the reader return the book many times after reading it. He analyzes the story and shows

the reader how the author constructs the story. Even though Munro never says for sure how the

reader is supposed to interpret the novel's events, Berrett (2021) does a masterful job of leading

the reader through the story. Berrett (2021) specifically emphasizes that many readers see the

story as a redemptive allegory.

It seems Grant has missed the point when he caters for his wife's companionship needs despite

the fact that it looks he is no longer the companion. The short story (Munro, 2013) will never

show full redemption since Munro won't let it. The nature of Grant, Aubrey, and Fiona's

relationship is unclear and mysterious (Berrett 2021). Berrett also discusses the story's title, "The

Bear Came Over the Mountain" (Munro, 2013), a symbolic adaptation of an old song.

The bear is expected to climb to the peak so it can see what's on the other side of the mountain.

Grant is the lumbering grizzly who wanders aimlessly in search of new experiences, all the while

pretending to be a model citizen. Unfortunately, everything is eventually meaningless, according

to Berrett (2021). There is no happy ending to the narrative since all the characters will

eventually experience more heartache and loss.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Bear Came Over the Mountain," a short story by Munro (2013), gives

readers a glimpse into how the married couple deals with infidelity, love challenges, and health

concerns. Grant and Fiona's love for one another is unbreakable since it persists despite anything

that stands between them. Since Munro's stories show everyday people, readers may find it easy

to relate to the protagonists. They learn something about themselves as well.

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References

Berrett, T. (2021). Alice Munro: "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" - The Mookse and the

Gripes. The Mookse and the Gripes. https://mookseandgripes.com/reviews/2013/10/14/alice-

munro-the-bear-came-over-themountain/

Munro, A. (2013, 21st October). The bear came over the mountain. The New Yorker.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/10/21/the-bear-came-over-the-mountain-2