Johnathan (John)

John is around ten years old and lives at the base of Hemlock Mountain. John is the protagonist to the story. In the story he goes over the hill to get a pot from his Aunt and comes face to face with the animal he has always wanted to see, a bear. John has many relatives but the one he is closest to is his Uncle James. Throughout the story John demonstrates his childlike curiosity and fears. John goes through a personal change in his life throughout the story. In the beginning he was told there were no bears yet he always seemed to think there might be, and his fears were confirmed later on.

James

James is 14 and is Johnathan's uncle. James is very cunning and observant of the world around him and a role model to John. They share an interest in the natural surroundings...