The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The motif of the paths plays a significant role in the second half of the novel. At first, the paths are enshrouded in mystery and portrayed as forbidden areas leading out of the village. Mary’s discovery that Gabrielle has entered the village from the Forest via one of the fenced paths inspires her newfound excitement and curiosity about the world that she suspects must exist beyond the Forest. Later, a fenced-in path saves Harry, Jacob, and Mary from the Unconsecrated that breach the village, and they seek refuge within the fenced walls and use the path to venture into the Forest. Once Travis, Cass, Jed, and Beth join them, the group’s decision to follow the paths allows the flow of the narrative to reveal the secrets of the Forest and the conflicts between various members of the group, intensifying the tension in the plot.

The fenced paths have the most profound effect on Mary, whose courage develops as she leaves the group to explore the branching pathways on her own. During these episodes, she reflects deeply on the Unconsecrated that lurk beyond the fenced path, even calling out to Gabrielle and apologizing for the girl’s current state.