The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

“Jonathan loved animals and birds. He knew the tracks that each one made in the snow. The small creatures could not find enough to eat, but it was not so with Jonathan’s aunts and uncles and cousins.”

Jonathan is sensitive to the needs of the local wildlife and has a close connection to the little forest creatures he sees around his farmhouse every day. This passage also reveals that Jonathan is part of a large, thriving extended family who often come to his house.

“Young Uncle James was only fourteen years old, so he and Jonathan were friends. Uncle James had eyes that saw and ears that heard. ‘Look,’ he would say to Jonathan. ‘Down by that tree stump is a cottontail.’ Then he and Jonathan were very still. They could see the little brown rabbit washing his face and his ears.”

Jonathan admires Young Uncle James, who loves wildlife and has the patience to observe the birds, squirrels, and rabbits in the woods nearby. These details add to the story’s theme of People and Wild Animals, as Jonathan’s relationship with these animals enlivens his life and brings him comfort throughout the story. Both Jonathan and James exhibit their sensitivity, empathy, and perceptiveness through their connection with these animals.

“‘Uncle James,’ said Jonathan, ‘Did you ever see a bear?’ ‘Well now,’ said Uncle James, looking important. ‘I believe I did. But it was years ago, Jonathan.’”

Jonathan has a keen interest in bears, which is encouraged by James, the only person who has ever seen one on Hemlock Mountain. This passage adds complexity to the dynamic between people and wild animals as Jonathan begins to think more about the exciting and frightening possibility of bears living on the mountain.

“‘I would like to see a bear,’ said Jonathan. ‘I would rather see a bear than anything in the world.’ ‘Maybe you will!’ said Uncle James.”

Jonathan’s passion for nature and wildlife means that he longs to see a bear, yet he is frightened of them at the same time. This quotation shows Jonathan’s initial longing to see a bear, which gradually changes into a more fearful attitude over the course of the book. James’s encouragement of Jonathan’s interest in wildlife is an important aspect of their relationship.

“A fine idea. But where in the world shall I get a pot big enough to make a stew for twenty—no, twenty-three—people? For of course you and Jonathan and I must be counted in. ‘I should think so!’ Jonathan’s father said. ‘And remember I am very hungry in this cold weather.’ He certainly was.”

Jonathan’s mother worries about her daunting task of feeding 20 relatives, as well as her own family. Her hard work and sense of duty add to the story’s theme on The Bonds of Family, as she does her best to single-handedly provide for her extended family. While this traditional role is difficult for her at times, it is her way of supporting the family and the farm.

“‘[Y]our aunt Emma, over across Hemlock Mountain, has the biggest iron pot you ever laid eyes on. […] Your father is much too busy to go for it, but you can go and fetch it.’ ‘Me?’ said Jonathan. ‘All alone? They say there are bears on Hemlock Mountain.’”

Jonathan’s mother assigns him the task of fetching Aunt Emma’s cooking pot. Like his parents, Jonathan puts aside his own comfort and does what is best for the family. While he is frightened to be alone in the woods on Hemlock Mountain, he accepts his mother’s decision, adding to the story’s theme of Confronting One’s Fears.

“‘Thank you,’ said Jonathan, and he put the cookies in his pocket. ‘I won’t be late because MAYBE THERE ARE BEARS ON HEMLOCK MOUNTAIN!’”

The author’s playful and child-like actions and dialogue emphasize Jonathan’s innocence. This passage begins to gently build tension and suspense around Jonathan’s journey through the image of an eight-year-old hiking through bear territory with only cookies in his pocket.

“When Jonathan was out of sight of the house, his mother began to worry just a little bit about bears on Hemlock Mountain. Stuff and nonsense, she said to herself. There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain.”

Jonathan’s mother’s concerns about her son show her love and care for him. This passage adds to the story’s theme of the bonds of family, as it emphasizes the close bond between Jonathan and his mother. His mother’s inner monologue also adds to the growing suspense of Jonathan’s situation, as she wrestles with her own doubt about what she has asked her son to do. Her worry is so sincere that she begins to doubt firmly held knowledge about the local wildlife.

“It was very still and quiet. To keep up his courage, Jonathan said to himself, ‘THERE are NO BEARS ON HEMLOCK MOUNTAIN, NO BEARS AT ALL.’”

Jonathan’s conversation with himself shows his resilience and bravery as he continually keeps up his own courage and momentum on his trip. This repeated and exaggerated dialogue shows his immaturity through its playful tone and predictable pattern. It also increases the foreshadowing that there may, conversely, be bears atop the mountain.

“Jonathan sat as still as still. He was not lonely now. And he was not worried about bears. He had lots of company. For quite a long time he sat there watching the rabbits and the squirrels and the birds.”

Dalgleish adds to the theme of people and wild animals by describing Jonathan’s friendly relationship with the little creatures of the forest. This passage also adds to Jonathan’s characterization, showing how he is an imaginative and sensitive boy who finds comfort and meaning in the company of wild creatures.

“He went down the mountain much faster than he had come up. At the bottom he stopped and looked back at the enormous footprints he had made in the snow. There were no other footprints, not any at all. Jonathan had been the only one on Hemlock Mountain. It made him feel lonesome just to think of it.”

Jonathan’s long journey forces him to overcome his fears about the woods and the bears, adding to the story’s theme of confronting one’s fears. His loneliness makes him a more sympathetic character as a child on his own in the wilderness. It also adds complexity to the portrayal of the natural world; what had previously made him feel comfortable in the company of small animals now feels lonely and mysterious.

“When Jonathan began to think about spring, and about bears, it made him feel the need to hurry. So he went on, very quickly.”

Jonathan continues to confront his fears as he progresses on his journey. With snow melting around him, he knows that spring has arrived and that any bears would be waking up from their hibernation. This description adds to the story’s sense of urgency and suspense, introducing the possibility that Jonathan will encounter hungry spring bears on the mountain.

“Jonathan had come over Hemlock Mountain and here he was, safe at his aunt’s house! He began to feel big and noble and brave.”

Jonathan feels proud of himself when he arrives at his aunt’s house, having hiked over the whole mountain all by himself. This passage adds to the story’s theme of confronting one’s fears, showing how Jonathan’s accomplishment of overcoming his anxiety makes him feel more grown-up.

“‘Jonathan! Did you come all alone over Hemlock Mountain?’ ‘Yes,’ said Jonathan. ‘Why?’ ‘Because—’ said his aunt. ‘Because what?’ asked Jonathan. ‘Because, nothing.’ But Jonathan knew she was thinking about BEARS.”

Aunt Emma is concerned for Jonathan’s safety, and he believes that she thinks there could be bears on the mountain. This passage adds to the story’s theme of the bonds of family, as it shows Aunt Emma’s love for her nephew. By hinting that Aunt Emma might be worried about bears, the author adds to the story’s tension around Jonathan’s journey.

“‘Mercy’s sake,’ said his aunt. ‘You must be hungry coming all the way over the Mountain. Would you like a cookie?’ ‘Please. Thank you,’ said Jonathan hoping he did not sound too eager. Hoping, too, that it would not be just one cookie.”

Aunt Emma’s nurturing gestures to Jonathan add to the story’s theme of the bonds of family. This reminds Jonathan of his mother and makes him more comfortable. Additionally, Jonathan’s interest in cookies—and forgetfulness about the reason for his visit—adds both realism and comedy to the depiction of the young protagonist, who is acting immaturely.

“Time went on. Jonathan slept. The sun went lower in the sky. ‘Tick-tock!’ said the clock. ‘Time to go!’ But Jonathan went on sleeping.”

As Jonathan sleeps, the sun begins to set, threatening his promise to his mother that he would be back before dark. This passage is reminiscent of fairy tales in which characters must race back home before a certain time and builds a familiar sort of suspense. By personifying the clock, the author continues to gently create tension without sacrificing the playful tone.

“‘Goodbye, Jonathan. Do not waste time going over the mountain.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Because…’ ‘Because what?’ ‘Oh, just because…’ Jonathan was quite sure she was thinking about bears. But, he was brave, and off he went toward Hemlock Mountain.”

Jonathan continues to summon his courage as he begins the last stretch of his journey. This passage adds to the story’s theme of confronting one’s fears as Jonathan ignores his anxiety and carries on with his mission. His trip to Aunt Emma’s began hesitantly, as Jonathan protested the task his mother gave him; now, he accepts the risks and heads toward the mountain bravely.

“She went into the kitchen and came back with the big iron pot. It was very large. Now Jonathan did not feel as if he had grown at least an inch. He felt like a very small boy.”

Jonathan has to go back to Aunt Emma’s house when he remembers to ask for her big iron pot. Jonathan’s distractibility and forgetfulness delay his trip, adding to the immaturity of his character while layering more suspense into the story as darkness begins to fall outside. The description of Jonathan as now feeling like a “very small boy” underscores that this task is new to him and that he may not be as well equipped for it as the older members of his family.

“It was really and truly dark. The tall trees were dark. The woods were dark and scary. ‘Crack!’ A branch broke in the woods. It was as loud as a pistol shot. ‘Woo-ooh! Woo-ooh!’ That was an owl but it was a most lonely sound. Jonathan began to think about bears.”

By comparing a cracking branch to a pistol shot, the author makes the nighttime forest setting seem threatening and unpredictable. The small, wild creatures that Jonathan met in the daytime are replaced by creepier and more predatory animals, such as owls making “lonely” sounds. This description suggests that Jonathan is lonely, frightened, and more likely than ever to encounter bears on the mountain.

“What was that, among the trees, right on the top of the mountain? Two big, dark…what could they be? They moved slowly…slowly…but they were coming nearer…and nearer…and nearer…Jonathan had to think quickly. There was only one thing to be done. Jonathan did it. He put the big iron pot upside down on the snow. Then he dug out a place and crawled under it.”

Jonathan’s actions add to the story’s theme of confronting one’s fears. He does not succumb to panic but thinks quickly as two mysterious figures approach. By hiding under his aunt’s pot, Jonathan protects himself from the approaching bears. The author ramps up the story’s suspense by using vague descriptions and ellipses to draw out the climactic action of the story.

“But the sound had stopped. The bears were right beside the big iron pot. Jonathan could hear them breathing. And he was all alone on Hemlock Mountain.”

This description emphasizes Jonathan’s vulnerability as he hides inside the pot from the curious bears. Jonathan maintains his sense of courage and strength under pressure, though, remaining silent despite the bears beside him. This shows how he has matured even through the small journey of his first errand for the family.

“Then the birds stopped twittering and the squirrels stopped chattering. The bears stopped sniffing and listened. What was that? Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Away off in the distance there was the sound of boots on the snow. Someone was coming up Hemlock Mountain!”

The author’s word choice eases the drama of Jonathan’s situation and reinvigorates the story with rhythm and playfulness. The development of someone approaching Jonathan’s hiding spot adds mystery and momentum to the story’s final chapters.

“‘Stuff and nonsense!’ said his father. ‘But you are carrying your gun,’ said Jonathan. ‘So is uncle…’ ‘Well…’ said his father. Jonathan pointed to the bear tracks in the snow. ‘Bears,’ he said firmly. ‘THERE are BEARS ON HEMLOCK MOUNTAIN.’”

Jonathan’s father doubts that there are really bears on Hemlock Mountain, but Jonathan has the proof he needs. This satisfying conclusion proves that Jonathan was right all along. His statement corrects his repeated chant, “There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain,” suggesting that he and his family will perceive the mountain differently from now on, adding to the story’s theme of people and wild animals.