Character Analysis

      One of the most interesting characters in My Side of The Mountain, was Bando. Bando was a stranger found sleeping next to Sam's tree and his store house. He was an English Teacher that happened to get lost in the woods of the Catskills and found Sam's camp. He calls Sam Thoreau.
      Bando is a very friendly person who thinks his life is boring when he meets Sam. Sam has been  living in the woods for quite a long time and has made himself a house, and many other necessities he needs to survive. Bando was from the city, and when he saw the way Sam was living, he thought he had a boring life. This is exemplified when Bando says, "Thoreau, I have led a varied life- dishwasher, sax player, teacher. To me it has been and interesting life. Just now it seems very dull." (George, p81) Bando seems to really love the woods. He makes friends with a stranger and even lives with him for awhile. Bando probably thought that since Sam's way was living was very adventurous with many unpredictable factors, it made his life very dull and boring. Since Bando was an English teacher, his time there was limited and could only visit when he has break. I think that Bando didn't have a family
      Bando was also a very knowledgeable and trustworthy guy. All the times he's visited, no once did he tell the news or another person. Bando was like a second dad to Sam. He helped him make jam, played instruments with him, and even brought some newspaper clipping to share and laugh about. An example of this would be when Bando read the newpaper clippings, it read, " Wild boy Suspected Living off Deer and Nuts in Wilderness of Catskills and Old Woman Reports Meeting Wild Boy While Picking Strawberries." (George, p121-122). I think Bando brought the newspapers to show Sam that he needs to be careful of who he talks to. Another reason might be to have a laugh at the people Sam has met. Bando was great company to Sam, and I think part of the reason Sam stayed so long in the woods was because Bando was there.
      Bando's unique dedication to Sam's life and personality make him one of the most interesting characters in My Side of The Mountain. Bando adds a spice to the story, making it more realistic. His talents and personality remind me certain people in my own life, making the character of Bando one of the best.