Investigate the Native American Chickasaw tribe to determine their original tribal grounds. What happened to the Chickasaws? Is there a tribal community still in the area today?

Find out what was on the site of your town or city before the present community was established. Was it a wilderness area? Were there any aboriginal tribes living there? Who first settled the area?

Research the wildlife of Mississippi to find out what species of bear Old Ben is. Compare the typical characteristics of bears in this area of the country with Old Ben's behavior. Is Faulkner's portrayal realistic?

Do some reading on the lives of slaves who were freed during the Civil War. What sorts of problems did they have to face in their new lives? What did being "free" mean for them?