The Clan Of The Cave Bear
(Jean M. Auel)
Sex, Species, and Danger
Situated in prehistoric Europe, in the midst of human evolutionary transitions, The Clan of the Cave Bear, tells the story of a young girl, Ayla, the beautiful prototype of modern mankind. She is orphaned as a child and must survive within a surrogate family of cave people whose bodies distinguish them as an older race of broad, bulky figures. Signals of the cave-clan's extinction are mirrored in Ayla, who represents a deeply intelligent being, developed in thinking in compensation for her inferior size . After an earthquake destroys her biological clan, Ayla is found injured by a cave lion. An older woman, Iza, takes pity on the girl, though the two cannot communicate. Ayla's human speech symbols are not understood by the prehistoric woman who only speaks in hand-gestures like the rest the of her clan. Few of the other clan members sympathize for the 'ugly' child, who looks strange, blonde and thin. Her survival of the lion grants her a mystical aura where she is suspected of unwomanly strength.
Ayla's strength manifests itself as she grows into an adolescent woman, seeking independence and usefulness in a clan whose traditions leave her vulnerable to second class status limitations, including sexual submission to males of the clan-should any find her odd appearance attractive. Set in the jungle lush forests and harsh plains of an extinct world, Auel portrays the psychological struggle of Ayla as she disciplines herself through hunting practice. After she is forbidden to train among the clan's males, Ayla takes it upon herself to discipline her body and mind; her survival depends upon it, as she is repeatedly denied access to the secrets of the clan's male-strength and privilege.
Ms. Auel's storytelling delves deep into the culture of patriarchy as it must have existed since humankind's earliest stages. She explores the many shames and successes of a girl brought to full womanhood in a world where women must fight to find their own personal meaning and strength.
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