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. Sam’s extensive knowledge of nature also conveys respect. He recognizes bird calls and knows where to find edible plants and nuts and how to prepare them for consumption. Despite his vast knowledge, his eagerness to listen, observe, and learn from nature demonstrates profound humility, and this trend only grows more powerful as his journey teaches him new things about the intricacies of the natural world.

Sam’s relationship with Frightful also conveys his inherent respect for nature. He communicates with Frightful and cares for her, but he does not see her as his pet. He recognizes Frightful’s power, hunting abilities, and instincts and understands that she is a wild creature. When Sam sets her free at the novel’s end, he shows that he understands his responsibility to act in the best interests of the natural world, an attitude that contrasts strongly with Bate and Skri’s exploitative approach to falconry. The illegal falconers see nature as a way to make money and are motivated purely by selfishness. At the simplest level, they serve as antagonists for the story, but their larger role in George’s philosophy is to symbolize the exploitative attitude of many modern businesses who damage the environment for the sake of profit. By juxtaposing Sam with these predatory falconers, George invites readers to consider their own relationship with nature and challenges them to amend any exploitative practices of their own. She passionately portrays nature as a valuable resource to be respected and enjoyed, rather than one to use for selfish gain. Sam’s character illustrates the joy and freedom to be found in caring for nature, and George encourages readers to follow in the protagonist’s footsteps.