How does the setting of the book affect Sam Gribley's decisions?

From the story Side of the Mountain, Sam Gribley has fled from his home in New York City to live off the land in the Catskill mountains. This setting is critical. It could be viewed as another real character in the book. Everything Sam does and finds out about depends on his nearby consideration and response to the woods and the greater part of the plants and creatures that live in it.