--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The phrase \"the violent bear it away\"…" description: "\"“The phrase \"the violent bear it away\" fascinated the 20th century Irish-American storyteller Flannery O'Connor, who used it as the title of one of her..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e5/thomas-cahill-24308_20th-century_the-phrase-the-violent-bear-it-away-fasc_317272.jpg" --- # The phrase "the violent bear it away" fascinated the 20th… ![“The phrase "the violent bear it away" fascinated the 20th century Irish-American storyteller Flannery O'Connor, who used it as the title of one of her novels. O'Connor's surname connects her to an Irish royal family descended from Conchobor (pronounced "Connor"), the prehistoric king of Ulster who…” quote by Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e5/thomas-cahill-24308_20th-century_the-phrase-the-violent-bear-it-away-fasc_317272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e5/thomas-cahill-24308_20th-century_the-phrase-the-violent-bear-it-away-fasc_317272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e5/thomas-cahill-24308_20th-century_the-phrase-the-violent-bear-it-away-fasc_317272.jpg) > ““The phrase "the violent bear it away" fascinated the 20th century Irish-American storyteller Flannery O'Connor, who used it as the title of one of her novels. O'Connor's surname connects her to an Irish royal family descended from Conchobor (pronounced "Connor"), the prehistoric king of Ulster who was foster father to Cuchulainn and "husband" of the unwilling Derdriu. In the western world, the antiquity of Irish lineages is exceeded only by that of the Jews.”” [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage links Irish mythic lineage to modern storytelling, highlighting cultural continuity and the power of names. **In simple terms:** Irish heritage influences modern stories. Key Takeaway Recognize how ancestry shapes narratives. Themes heritage identity storytelling Mood thoughtful curious Type cultural historical When to use this quote - family histories - creative writing - cultural studies Key Concepts Mythology cultural transmission literary influence Questions to Reflect On - What stories do your family names carry? - How does myth shape modern identity? A Different Perspective Names can both empower and constrain identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [20th century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/20th-century/) [Antiquity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antiquity/) [Bear Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bear-away-1128895/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Connor Prehistoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connor-prehistoric-2998460/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Fascinated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascinated/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Flannery O'connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flannery-oconnor/) [Husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husband/) [Irish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irish/) [Irish Lineages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irish-lineages-2998458/) [Jew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jew/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Lineage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lineage/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Prehistoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prehistoric/) [Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royal/) [Royal family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royal-family/) [Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storyteller/) [Surnames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surnames/) [Titles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/titles/) [Ulster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ulster/) [Unwilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unwilling/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) [Violent Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent-bear-2998459/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Western world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Take them, O Death! and bear away Whatever thou canst call thine own! Thine image, stamped upon this clay, Doth give thee that, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/take-them-o-death-and-bear-away-whatever-thou-canst-call-thine-own/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [You don’t have to run faster than the bear to get away. You just have to run faster than the guy next to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/you-don-t-have-to-run-faster-than-the-bear-to-get-away-you-just-have/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [When I went to university, I was already working professionally with the Ulster Actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nesbitt/when-i-went-to-university-i-was-already-working-professionally-with/) [James Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nesbitt/) > [I'm delighted that I was born in Ulster rather than anywhere else in Ireland and I've certainly not lost my identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-neill/i-m-delighted-that-i-was-born-in-ulster-rather-than-anywhere-else-in/) [Martin O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-neill/) > [“Philadelphia became the Ulster Scots’ most popular port of entry for two reasons. The first was that the Pennsylvania colony had been created with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-webb/philadelphia-became-the-ulster-scots-most-popular-port-of-entry-for/) [James Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-webb/) > [“Finally, in August 1607, the cream of Ulster’s Irish aristocracy, including Hugh O’Neill himself, left Ireland for permanent exile. Other Irish were to follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-webb/finally-in-august-1607-the-cream-of-ulster-s-irish-aristocracy/) [James Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-webb/) > [Should an anthropologist or a sociologist be looking for a bizarre society to study, I would suggest he come to Ulster. It is one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernadette-devlin/should-an-anthropologist-or-a-sociologist-be-looking-for-a-bizarre/) [Bernadette Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernadette-devlin/) > [As we take stock of this century of achievement, Ulster Unionists have every reason to feel proud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-trimble/as-we-take-stock-of-this-century-of-achievement-ulster-unionists-have/) [David Trimble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-trimble/) > [An Ulster Scot may come to disbelieve in God, but not to wear his weekday clothes on the Sabbath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/an-ulster-scot-may-come-to-disbelieve-in-god-but-not-to-wear-his/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [American troops have not only occupied Ulster but are arriving in increasing numbers in England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-amery/american-troops-have-not-only-occupied-ulster-but-are-arriving-in/) [John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) > [I'm sure there was an educational angle to the trips (I think one was to the Ulster Museum) but it was the fun and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/i-m-sure-there-was-an-educational-angle-to-the-trips-i-think-one-was/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [“The blood feuds of today’s Ulster— and their legacy in the journey of America’s Scots-Irish— have their roots in a decision made in 1610…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-webb/the-blood-feuds-of-today-s-ulster-and-their-legacy-in-the-journey-of/) [James Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-webb/) > [I will walk on no grave of Ulster's honoured dead to do a deal with the IRA or the British government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-paisley/i-will-walk-on-no-grave-of-ulster-s-honoured-dead-to-do-a-deal-with/) [Ian Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-paisley/) > [Such a scheme.. the betrayal of the national democracy of Industrial Ulster, would mean a carnival of reaction both North and South, would set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-connolly/such-a-scheme-the-betrayal-of-the-national-democracy-of-industrial/) [James Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-connolly/) > [I was born in Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, and I'm Scots-Irish, therefore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocelyn-bell-burnell/i-was-born-in-northern-ireland-also-known-as-ulster-and-i-m-scots/) [Jocelyn Bell Burnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocelyn-bell-burnell/) ## More by Thomas Cahill > [“In becoming an Irishman, Patrick wedded his world to theirs, his faith to their life…Patrick found a way of swimming down to the depths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/in-becoming-an-irishman-patrick-wedded-his-world-to-theirs-his-faith/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [Wherever they went the Irish brought with them their books, many unseen in Europe for centuries and tied to their waists as signs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/wherever-they-went-the-irish-brought-with-them-their-books-many/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [How real is history? Is it just an enormous soup so full of disparate ingredients that it is uncharacterizable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/how-real-is-history-is-it-just-an-enormous-soup-so-full-of-disparate/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [The Irish innovation was to make all confession a completely private affair between penitent and priest - and to make it as repeatable as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/the-irish-innovation-was-to-make-all-confession-a-completely-private/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“They understood, as few have understood before or since, how fleeting life is and how pointless to try to hold on to things or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/they-understood-as-few-have-understood-before-or-since-how-fleeting/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“We followed the rump of a misguiding woman. It is the usual thing for a herd led by a mare to be strayed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/we-followed-the-rump-of-a-misguiding-woman-it-is-the-usual-thing-for/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“Cujus regio, ejus religio (Whose region it is, his is the religion).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/cujus-regio-ejus-religio-whose-region-it-is-his-is-the-religion/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [We can hardly get up in the morning or cross the street without being Jewish. We dream Jewish dreams and hope Jewish hopes. Most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/we-can-hardly-get-up-in-the-morning-or-cross-the-street-without-being/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“I see a sweet country. I could rest my weapon there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/i-see-a-sweet-country-i-could-rest-my-weapon-there/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [(The festival) was awfully impersonal and abstract and there was something really gloomy about it, ... That's when I first started thinking about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/the-festival-was-awfully-impersonal-and-abstract-and-there-was/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“We will never make it under our own stem. Having made this connection, Augustine falls apart. What he describes at this point in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/we-will-never-make-it-under-our-own-stem-having-made-this-connection/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [The Jews started it all-and by 'it' I mean so many of the things we care about, the underlying values that make all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/the-jews-started-it-all-and-by-it-i-mean-so-many-of-the-things-we/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [The Irish believed that gods, druids, poets, and others in touch with the magical world could be literal shape-shifters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/the-irish-believed-that-gods-druids-poets-and-others-in-touch-with/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [Is is seldom possible to say of the medievals that they \*always\* did one thing and \*never\* another; they were marvelously inconsistent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/is-is-seldom-possible-to-say-of-the-medievals-that-they-always-did/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) > [“Well, they may not be civilized, but they are certainly confident--and this confidence is one of the open-handed pleasures of early Irish literature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cahill/well-they-may-not-be-civilized-but-they-are-certainly-confident-and/) [Thomas Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) [Explore all 24 Thomas Cahill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cahill/) ## More 20th century quotes > [I think the inhabitants of the past are fighting hard to keep the rents they acquired in the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/i-think-the-inhabitants-of-the-past-are-fighting-hard-to-keep-the/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Corporate America is a 20th-century dinosaur, trembling on the edge of extinction, and the only way for you to have a genuinely secure future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/corporate-america-is-a-20th-century-dinosaur-trembling-on-the-edge-of/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free. We sent a generation to college. We cultivated the most educated workforce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-thrived-in-the-20th-century-because-we-made-high-school-free/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I've studied the lives of the 20th century's great businessmen and concluded self-confidence was instrumental in all their success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-spanos/i-ve-studied-the-lives-of-the-20th-century-s-great-businessmen-and/) [Alex Spanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-spanos/) > [Universal literacy was a 20th-century goal. Before then, reading and writing were skills largely confined to a small, highly educated class of professional people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/universal-literacy-was-a-20th-century-goal-before-then-reading-and/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [The great wars of the 20th Century made it into the worst Century ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/the-great-wars-of-the-20th-century-made-it-into-the-worst-century-ever/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [That is very different from how it used to be in the 20th century. Media was very one way. There's a small little industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/that-is-very-different-from-how-it-used-to-be-in-the-20th-century/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [If you look back on the history of the 20th century, the 19th century or even to the ancien régime of the 18th, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/if-you-look-back-on-the-history-of-the-20th-century-the-19th-century/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Up to the 20th century, we can say that this whole period was an Earth epoch, 'Earth' meaning the riches of the earth, simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lech-walesa/up-to-the-20th-century-we-can-say-that-this-whole-period-was-an-earth/) [Lech Walesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lech-walesa/) > [I think this century more than any other really has seen the phenomenon of people being uprooted in such numbers, such a degree. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-think-this-century-more-than-any-other-really-has-seen-the/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [If you look at that incredible burst of fantastic characters that emerged in the late 19th century/early 20th century, you can see so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-look-at-that-incredible-burst-of-fantastic-characters-that/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [Cruel and paradoxical though it undoubtedly is, the record shows that yje most succesful 20th century monarchs have been those who were not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cannadine/cruel-and-paradoxical-though-it-undoubtedly-is-the-record-shows-that/) [David Cannadine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cannadine/) > [An interesting thing about New Zealand, you know, literature is that it really didn't begin in any real sense until the 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-catton/an-interesting-thing-about-new-zealand-you-know-literature-is-that-it/) [Eleanor Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-catton/) > [The Warmth of Other Suns is a sweeping and yet deeply personal tale of America's hidden 20th century history - the long and difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/the-warmth-of-other-suns-is-a-sweeping-and-yet-deeply-personal-tale/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) [Browse all 672 20th century quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/20th-century/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The phrase \"the violent bear it away\" fascinated the 20th century Irish-American storyteller Flannery O'Connor, who used it as the title of one of her novels. 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