These are the times in her life that Louise has felt most acutely the animal nature of her humanity, and therefore they have been the most comforting. To be a human is complex, and often painful; to be an animal is comfortingly simple and good.

This quote comes from Louise’s chapter toward the end of Part I, when she runs into Lee Towson and breaks down crying. As she sobs against his bare chest, she realizes this is more than just friendship. Louise struggles with the complexity of human emotions versus the primal simplicity of instinct. She has spent much of her life overanalyzing choices and pressuring herself to be a good counselor, sister, and girlfriend. She often dwells on past failures and longs for a better life, not only for herself but also for her brother, Jesse. Her experiences with abuse, power struggles, and societal expectations have made human existence feel painful and exhausting. 

Not only is she physically attracted to Lee but, in this moment, she feels safe with him. By listening to her instincts instead of overthinking, she allows herself to be vulnerable and feel relief from emotional turmoil, something she rarely allows herself to feel. Animals act based on survival and need, without guilt or self-doubt. Later, she confidently chooses intimacy with Lee on her own terms, a complete opposite of the controlling relationship she has with John Paul. She embraces simplicity here, focusing on trust and basic needs rather than complicated “what-if” thoughts and people-pleasing. The “animal nature of her humanity” represents a state where she is finally free, safe, and in control

“‘Panic" said T.J. But no one raised a hand. She explained. It came from the Greek god Pan: the god of the woods. He liked to trick people, to confuse and disorient them until they lose their bearings, and their minds. To panic, said T.J., was to make an enemy of the forest. To stay calm was to be its friend.

In Tracy’s chapter halfway through Part I, this quote references the title of the book and symbolizes a major theme of deception and manipulation. Throughout the novel, several characters embody Pan, using trickery, manipulation, or disorientation to control others. 

For instance, Peter III manipulates Alice, encouraging her drinking and pill abuse to erase the truth of Bear’s disappearance, keeping her disoriented and detached from reality. Despite his infidelity and abuse, John Paul’s false promises of commitment to Louise lead her to chase a false sense of security. Additionally, Peter II deceives the community and authorities by convincing them that Bear truly disappeared, turning suspicion away from the family and onto Carl Stoddard, an innocent man. 

The novel suggests that those who remain confident and respectful of the wilderness—who do not let panic consume them—are the ones who survive and succeed. T.J., Vic, and Barbara represent this idea, staying calm, trusting their instincts, and navigating the woods with skill rather than fear. In contrast, those who succumb to panic, deception, or denial become lost or at risk, both literally and figuratively. 

... I’ve been wondering whether having all of our material needs met from birth has been a positive aspect of our lives. It seems to me it may have resulted in some absence of yearning or striving in us. The quest, I like to call it. When one’s parents or grandparents have already quested and conquered, what is there for subsequent generations to do?

Found in Alice’s last chapter of Part II, this quote highlights the divide between those who inherit wealth and those who have to work for everything. This contrast plays out between the elite families (Van Laars, McClellans, Southworths) and the working class (Louise, the Hewitts, Lee, Judyta, Carl). Even after Barbara disappears, the wealthy guests – who drink and indulge at the Van Laar party – remain in their pajamas and lack any real urgency. Meanwhile, everyone else at Camp Emerson is working, searching, and pushing forward in the investigation, offering meaningful work. The rich, in many ways, lack any real motivation or “quest” in the novel.

Barbara, however, is different from her elite family because she has drive, whether through her art or her ability to survive on her own in the wilderness. Alice’s discovery of Barbara’s murals reflects their differences. She envies Barbara’s freedom to create, and Alice has never felt free or ambitious enough to start something of her own. Delphine’s quote reflects the characters’ motivations: the wealthy don’t strive for much because they already have it, while those who have had to struggle develop purpose, ambition, and something to fight for. 

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