43 pages • 1 hour read
Diane GlancyPushing the Bear: A Novel of the Trail of Tears
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Pushing the Bear by Diane Glancy, written in 1996, follows a group of Cherokee people forced to relocate to “Indian Territory” in Oklahoma during 1838 and 1839. Told from multiple perspectives, including Cherokee members, soldiers, and reverends, it encapsulates their struggles and resilience on the Trail of Tears. The novel emphasizes community and uses traditional Cherokee legends and language. The source text addresses themes of genocide, displacement, and cultural erasure and references sexual assault and racist ideologies against Indigenous people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Pushing the Bear by Diane Glancy is lauded for its poignant portrayal of the Cherokee Trail of Tears, blending historical and personal perspectives. Reviewers commend its haunting narrative and multifaceted voices. Critics, however, note that its fragmented structure can be challenging. Overall, it offers a compelling but complex exploration of cultural trauma.
Who Should Read Pushing the Bear?
A reader who appreciates Pushing the Bear by Diane Glancy is likely interested in historical fiction, Native American history, and narratives of resilience. Fans of works like Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown or Louise Erdrich's writings will find this poignant tale of the Cherokee Trail of Tears deeply engaging.