ficult at times like these?" This is a symbolic statement because it demonstrates that the woman selected to care for this man is not interested in his well-being and regards him as difficult at best. In terms of the theme of the story, this reflects the isolation of the elderly man and his acknowledged loss of control over some of his behavior.
Similarly, in Shakespeare's (855) King Lear, his daughter, Goneril, says, "come, sir, I would have you make use of that good wisdom, whereof I know you are fraught; and put away these dispositions, that of late transform you from what you rightly are." Just as Dieter Bethge, the elderly man in "The Dancing Bear" is subject to the domination of a woman who finds him to be peculiar and difficult, so does Lear find that he has placed himself in the hands of ungrateful daughters, who having received control of his kingdom are no longer interested in allowing him to act as their father or superior. Both of these older male characters have lost control over the external realities of their lives and are therefore vulnerable to t
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