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.