On the Far Side of the Mountain

Through her intimate depictions of both characters and plot events, George conveys the beauty, wonder, and usefulness of the natural world and seeks to compel readers to cultivate a deep respect and appreciation for the world around them—a world often obscured by modern society’s immersion in technological conveniences. Accordingly, the majority of the novel’s characters, such as Bando and Alice, demonstrate respect for nature, but perhaps don’t show it as strongly as Sam.

Sam’s strong love for his home shows itself in his fondness toward the entire mountain, for he often refers to it as “my mountain” (70). However, though he clearly feels a sense of home and belonging there, his use of the possessive pronoun “my” does not denote a sense of ownership or entitlement. On the contrary, Sam respects the mountains’ animals and respects their prior claim to the area, conscientiously endeavoring to preserve their habitats and live alongside them in harmony. Sam also wants his lifestyle to be as natural as possible, refusing the idea of generating electricity and preferring to use simple tools made from natural materials. Similarly, he opposes the idea of hunting with guns because he knows it would ruin the peace and kinship with nature that he enjoys on the mountain.