Jea Clan Of The Cave Bear: A Literary Analysis

This assignment presented a bit of a challenge, as it has been slightly over three decades since being a young teen. Also, since books were a significant portion of my life growing up and I was an advanced reader, it remains nearly impossible to isolate, which of the life altering books I read, at which stages of my life. Gone with the Wind, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, To Kill a Mockingbird, Little Women, Diary of Anne Frank, Westmark, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Island of the Blue Dolphins; it seems this list could continue forever, each beloved, tattered book still has a home on my bookcase and in my heart, and have their effect on my life and personal perspective. Although it may be possible I read it slightly later in my teen years, I finally settled on …show more content…
Set during the period where Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals co-existed it begins with an earthquake shattering young Ayla’s carefree life as a child as it leads to the loss of her parents, a significant life-threatening injury from a cave lion, and aimless wandering. Discovered and ultimately adopted by a Neanderthal clan, ruled by their traditions and group memories, she struggles to find the balance between acclimating and her natural tendencies, which dramatically conflict with her adoptive family. Finding acceptance becomes especially problematic, as her blue-eyed, blonde appearance, sound making capability and critical thinking, creative mind where considered highly unattractive by clan members, especially the men. Additionally, she continually discovered situations and tasks where, when told women can’t do that, she, in fact, did and also performed superiorly to the men. Born as a Cro-Magnon, or “Others” as her clan refers to them, there stands a conflict between nature and nurture aspects of growing up and developing individual