The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

In The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, Hemlock Mountain represents the unknown. As a wild, forested hill, the mountain is a place of mystery and danger to Jonathan. Though he has lived at the foot of the mountain his whole life, it is different from his familiar farm, and he wonders what might live there. Even the older generation, who have much more experience of crossing the mountain, privately acknowledge that they do not know all its secrets. For instance, Aunt Emma is afraid that the rumors of bears could be true and worries for Jonathan’s safety as he crosses the mountain by himself. His mother also worries about this possibility, which she tries to dismiss as “nonsense.” She anxiously says that the notion is “[s]tuff and nonsense […] There are no bears on Hemlock Mountain. But perhaps…” (Chapter 4). This acknowledges that while the farmers are familiar with the local wildlife, there are still many things they don’t know for certain.

By venturing over Hemlock Mountain, Jonathan must face this unknown and grapple with his own fears of the possible threats he will face on his trip over the “still” and “lonely” mountain. Jonathan’s solitude only emphasizes the unknown nature of the mountain, as he worries about what could be lurking in the silent woods.