The main turning point comes in the 18th chapter, “In Which I Learn About Birds and People.” Bando brings Sam three newspaper articles that claim that a wild boy is living in the Catskills. Sam has been found out, in spite of how careful he has been to protect his new home and his lifestyle. Then his father finds him and comes to him too, as a result of the articles. His father leaves to go back to the city, to reassure his wife and the rest of the children that Sam is doing all right. And Sam may believe that nothing has changed. But we readers expect that this development will lead to more changes in the future. Indeed, more people come afterward.
Other parts of the book could be viewed as hints at turning points. Sam is not usually lonely; but in the 13th chapter, “In Which The Autumn Provides Food and Loneliness,” he admits to feeling lonely. He’s missing human contact. Then he throws the Halloween party for the animals, and he has more to worry about than loneliness.
The 16th chapter is called “In Which Trouble Begins.” Sam decides to go to town on a Sunday, wearing his deerskin clothing. He gets strange looks from the townspeople, of course. He should have known better. And “Mr. Jacket,” whom he meets in a store, calls him “Daniel Boone” and wonders what he’s up to. For all we know, Mr. Jacket may be one of the people who contributed to the newspaper articles Bando brought up at Christmas. Did Sam go to town that day to want to be found out? This incident could mark a turning point, too.
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