The Sublime

The Sublime is a theme that the author uses to show the readers the awe-inspiring power of nature and that humans will never be able to understand or control this force. Mentions of the Sublime run throughout the novel and are seen many times when Jeremy or another character is speaking about nature or the forest. The Sublime is a force that is more powerful than any human or human made object. The forest evokes a sense of awe and fear from characters, which translates into the Sublime. Jeremy and other characters know that they will always be at the mercy of the Sublime.

Jeremy first feels the Sublime when he is driving toward Cloudwater. While driving through the Adirondacks, Jeremy remarks that "these mountains could not be conquered, or even tamed-it was more like coming to an accommodation, an understanding, with them"(10). Jeremy realizes...