Essay Questions

Show how loneliness and seclusion are brought out in Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain.

In My Side of the Mountain, the character, Sam Gribley, is at the center of these themes. When Gribley gets to the mountains, not only is he secluded and isolated but he is also quick to realize the fact that money will not help him when it comes to survival in such conditions but his survival skills set. He suffers from loneliness after the boy who used to stay there leaves for school and he is only left with animals for company.

Show how Gribley’s seclusion in the mountains does him good in Jean George’s My Side of the Mountain.

Gribley’s seclusion in the wilderness proves to be good in some ways. Not only does he learn to use his survival skills but he also feels and becomes aware of how it is like to be a man who works hard. He learns to skin animals, and make clothes. Throughout the work, Gribley’s awareness is portrayed to be increasing greatly as a result of this seclusion. In a way, the seclusion enables him discover and become aware of new things and concepts in his life.