The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

In these passages, the author builds suspense in the story by emphasizing the possible danger that Jonathan could be in as he crosses the mountain alone. For instance, Jonathan’s mother worries for his safety, doubting her own belief that there are no bears on the mountain. She tells herself, “‘There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain. But perhaps…’ She went back to her cookie making and tried to forget about it. But she couldn’t forget” (Chapter 4). While she feels that he is old enough to contribute to the family by completing this task, she is still concerned enough about him as a small child that she begins doubting the beliefs she had previously felt certain about. Jonathan, too, worries about bears, even though his mother assured him that there were none. Every time he chants to himself, “THERE are NO BEARS ON HEMLOCK MOUNTAIN” (Chapter 4), it is implied that this may not be true, raising the question of what Jonathan would do if he encountered one.

The author adds to this tension when Jonathan becomes distractible and loses track of the time. While he is supposed to be hurrying and arrive home before dark, he spends time simply interacting with the wildlife: “For quite a long time he sat there watching the rabbits and the squirrels and the birds. But time was going on and the sun was lower in the sky” (Chapter 4). While this behavior is irresponsible, Jonathan’s symbiotic relationship with the forest animals connects to the story’s theme of People and Wild Animals. The little animals make Jonathan feel that he has some much-needed company on the mountain. By showing how the little creatures help him forget about his fear, the story suggests that he feels an easy kinship with the rabbits, squirrels, and birds, perhaps in part because they are all possible prey for the bears that may be living on the mountain.

As Jonathan continues with his task, he must find a way to overcome his anxiety about the bears that might be living on the mountain. His constant concern advances the story’s theme of Confronting One’s Fears. To keep up his good spirits, Jonathan talks to himself, echoing his mother’s message that there are definitely no bears on Hemlock Mountain. These chapters also add to the story’s theme of The Bonds of Family. While Jonathan is tired, hungry, and afraid, he does not give up on his task and feels obligated to continue for the sake of his family. As he comes down the mountain, he feels “lonesome” and is scared when he notices the snow quickly melting. He thinks, “It sounds like spring. […] It feels like spring. I HOPE THE BEARS DON’T KNOW IT!” (Chapter 5). When he arrives at his aunt’s house, Jonathan is “very, very hungry” and soon falls asleep out of exhaustion (Chapter 6). He tries to maintain his commitment to his errand and show how he was raised to sacrifice his own comfort for his family’s well-being. Nonetheless, his growing stress makes this difficult.

Jonathan is delayed again at his aunt’s house, where he is so hungry and tired that he forgets the point of his journey and enjoys Aunt Emma’s cookies. Dalgleish describes how “[t]he clock on the kitchen shelf d[oes] its best to tell him that time [i]s passing. ‘Tick-tock, tick-tock, time to go, tick-tock.’ But Jonathan rock[s] and [eats] and d[oes] not hear it. Tick-tock, tick-tock” (Chapter 6). Jonathan’s immaturity is portrayed here; while he is technically old enough to complete the task, he is not yet mature enough to stay focused and act responsibly. This threatens to derail his whole plan by forcing him to travel through the dark forest.