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The short fiction the “Dancing bear” by Guy Vanderhaeghe gives a message to the readers by compartmentalizing the theme into several parts, which emphasize upon how freedom is not a luxury, but a necessity for everyone present in this world, irrespective of one’s gender, age, race, and ethnicity. The title Dancing bear itself discloses the theme of the short story by creating an imagery of a captivated creature.
Although elites might argue that not everyone deserves equal freedom, Guy Vanderhaeghe did not choose the stereotypical way to describe the prominence of freedom; he depicted this by showcasing the symbolism between the bear and Dieter Bethge, using the imagery of the Dancing bear and finally, the internal and external conflicts going on in Dieter’s life.
“Dancing Bear” enunciates the desperate desire for freedom. This is shown by demonstrating the symbolism between the bear and Dieter Bethge. Clearly, the bear was treated by it’s trainer the same way Dieter was being treated by Mrs.
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Hax. For instance, one can observe this when the author writes “Them that hires is them that fires. He who pays the piper calls the tune. And you can’t do neither. Not a bit. ” (473), this quote illustrates what Dieter is going through as the housekeeper is exercising control over him, and not even giving him the chance to be the owner that he is. In the same way, the bear was being completely controlled by its trainer who exploited the dignity of the bear and transformed it into something it was not.
Take the case when, “the bear spun and spun, his head lolling from side to side, his body tense with the effort of maintaining his human posture” (475). The bear is not itself anymore, it does not even have the freedom to be a ‘bear’. Correspondingly, Dieter was being less of himself day by day.
Furthermore, the relation between the trainer degrading the bear (476), directly relates to how Mrs. Hax dehumanises Dieter by making him feel ashamed of his uncontrollable bladder and forgettable mind. This symbolises how both the characters are stronger than either of their opponents, but are still captivated. In the end, Dieter stands up for himself, “leaves…. exiled” (477) and the bear dancing unstintingly “of course there was no music, but the bear danced. . . he could perceive” (476). His death shows he is like “the bear who had lived in shame and impotence” (472), but chose not to be servile anymore.
Above all, symbolism between Dieter and the bear shows the consequences of when one does not stand up for themselves. Consequently, vivid imagery has been incorporated by Vanderhaeghe to showcase the violent struggle of someone being captivated. Vanderhaeghe makes it perfectly clear that freedom is deserved by everyone else irrespective of their age, gender or race. The author points out “Each stroke of the knife renders him less bear-like and more like something else” (471); this quote shows how the bear is being ripped off of its rich skin as well as its dignity becoming something less of itself. This imagery “less bear-like” sets up a disturbing mood into the reader’s minds, helping them understand captivation and the value of freedom. When Vanderhaeghe writes that, “the bear tossed his head from side to side and snuffled in the dirt. This, for him, was a kind of freedom” (475), he compares the situation of the bear and Dieter. Both have very limited freedom: meaning of freedom for the bear was tossing its head, where as for Dieter it was the freedom of dreaming. Furthermore, when the author emphasizes deception, “to warn him that appearances deceive. That a bear is a man in masquerade.
Perhaps even a judge, perhaps at the very least a brother” (476), the image of the bear being a man in a masquerade or at least a brother, engenders the feelings of compassion, and justifies the fact that above all, everyone is a human or at least a living organism, who deserves equal freedom and respect. Vanderhaeghe makes a reader feel as if the bear was human too, to portray suffocation and the craving for freedom. Additionally, some might argue how Dieter was old, and had no chance to escape, because he was impotent and dependent. Certainly, there are myriads of evidences which show Dieter’s life being completely controlled, even his train of thoughts and his dreams of freedom. For example, the narrator describes the feelings of Dieter “As always, she is judging him……. even the illusion of freedom” (476). Even though, Dieter is old and helpless, no one should torture a human by snatching away his freedom of thought too. In spite of, being aware of his bladder issues, she continues abusing him verbally to show her authority “That rubber sheet is staying on. . . a grown man. ” (470). She misuses her freedom of authority.
Additionally, Dieter has to do deal with the conflicts inside of his head, as well as his old age too that are inhibiting him from reaching his freedom. Dieter suffers within himself, and cannot provide himself with the freedom he craves due to his vulnerable old age. Moreover, both these conflicts make him feel worthless and he lets Mrs. Hax control him because he has no power left. Above all, Vanderhaeghe states the miserable condition of a person when he feels helpless, he shows how powerful authority can be and if people let that authority take in charge, they will, but it’s still not the end because if one keeps protesting, there will always be a ‘result’ than when one sits idle.
All these conflicts help Dieter Bethge realise the true value of freedom, as he at last stands up for himself. In the final analysis, Vanderhaeghe delivers the message of standing up for one’s self and fight for the freedom one deserves. He answers and conveys this message by illustrating the symbolism between the bear and Dieter Bethge, by emphasizing upon the vivid imagery provided by the analogy of “bear” and finally, depicting the conflicts that Dieter faces in his old age due to authority. The human brain subconsciously, judges on who deserves respect and freedom and who does not, therefore, this short fiction might make the readers realise that freedom is a basic human right. By the end of the literature, one might learn the true value of freedom and be enlightened on how freedom is a constant struggle, where one should fight to achieve it. The analogy between the bear and Dieter lets the readers grasp the message more effectively, where the imagery and the symbolism enhance the story by comparing a captivated animal and a miserable old man where both are craving freedom. If this message is taken seriously by the society, they will realise that freedom must not be a issue where people risk their lives, it should be something that every person is entitled to.
Short Story Examples: Interpretation of Blind Freedom. (2024, Feb 15). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/short-story-examples-interpretation-of-blind-freedom-essay
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