The Wood Beyond the World · Character

The Bears

A tribe of huge, half-wild men who call themselves the children of the Bear and gather in a Doom-ring to judge whatever strangers wander into their dale.

supporting

First appearance: xxvi they come to the folk of the bears

As a supporting figure in The Wood Beyond the World, The Bears is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as gathering in the Dale and preparing a burnt-offering at the Doom-ring; they are the folk among whom Walter and the Maid find themselves.

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They are manlike in body but taller and bigger than most men, spread wide behind the mountains, and reckoned miscreants by the hermit for trowing neither in God nor his hallows — though they worship a certain woman with mickle worship. Their elder receives Walter and the Maid courteously, offers them curds and milk at the fire, and yet sets four armed men across the booth door, so that the two must count themselves captives even as they are guests. Their Doom-ring, where the whole folk must assemble before any errand is heard, is the trial that tests the Maid's nerve and Walter's standing in the strange land.

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Character Web

5 connections

A slice of how The Bears sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Supernatural and Antagonistic Figures
Protagonist
Minor and Incidental Characters

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because the Maid, who has been paralyzed by "craven fear" and the "horror"…

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Relationships

The Maid
friendship · positive
The Bears are loyal animal companions to the Maid, protecting her and showing affection. How this plays out →
The Old Man
friendship · positive
The Old Man
friendship · positive
The Maid
friendship · positive
The Bears are loyal animal companions to the Maid, protecting her and showing affection. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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See The Bears in xxvi they come to the folk of the bears

In the story

The Bears appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Morning Amongst the Bears
Mentioned as gathering in the Dale and preparing a burnt-offering at the Doom-ring; they are the folk among whom Walter and the Maid find themselves.
XXVIII: Of the New God of the Bears
The huge men of the Southern Dales who initially threaten the Maid and Walter, but after the miracle shout, smite their shields, and worship the Maid as their god.
XXIX: Walter Strays in the Pass and Is Sundered from the Maid
The Bear-folk accompany Walter and the Maid, receive her blessing, and return home.
XXXVI: Of Walter and the Maid in the Days of the Kingship
Receive the Maid's gift of husbandmen and learn agriculture; they later become mighty in battle.

Chapter companion notes

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See The Bears in xxvi they come to the folk of the bears

See The Bears in Morning Amongst the Bears