The Bear is probably the most powerful bildungsroman that we have read. Isaac grows and matures in the wilderness, with little instruction from other humans. It seems natural that a man can only truly be in touch with himself while he is alone with his thoughts working against nature. He “loses himself” in the woods, and through being lost, learns to find his way. He learns to find his way both in the woods and in life. His judgment improves as he learns to navigate the woods, and as a result, he also learns to navigate his life as accurately as he can navigate the woods. As we learn the disturbing story of Isaac’s grandfather’s sins and the horrible history of slavery in his family, we wonder whether or not Isaac will accept his inheritance. From a boy of ten learning to hunt, he becomes a man who must face the terrible realities of his past and must make an important decision that will change his life. He refuses to accept the inheritance because he rejects the legacy of his grandfather’s sinful relationships and of the history of slavery. Isaac separates himself from something that he knows is evil, despite the fact that he could be very rich. He grows into a man who is admirable, courageous and moral when he chooses morality over money.