Mystery

Mystery is a major theme in the novel “On the Far Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George. Mystery involves the unknown or the unexplained, and the pursuit of answers in that which is unknown or unexplained. Mystery appears in two distinct forms in the novel, involving Sam, Bando, and Alice. One mystery becomes overarching through the novel; the second mystery becomes just as important as the novel comes to a conclusion.

The first mystery of the novel is faced by Sam, and involves Alice’s disappearance from her treehouse one day. She leaves a note, saying she is moving on, and thanks Sam for teaching her how to survive in the wild. Sam worries for Alice, and decides to follow her, with Bando coming along to help. The mystery of Alice’s disappearance involves three questions Sam needs to answer: Where did she go...