The mist is one of the most pressing symbols in the novel. After the storm, David sees the strangely unnatural mist creeping slowly and inevitably across the lake. He has no way to explain the strange edge or location of the mist, nor does Brent. Neither man can explain its presence nor explain why it makes them feel so uneasy. The mist acts in a way that a natural weather pattern should not, defying the conditions and the expectations of the world it inhabits. David and the other characters have grown used to the world. They are familiar with weather phenomena, as illustrated by David’s knowledge of storms. However, the mist defies the characters’ existing knowledge and becomes a symbol of the vast and unknowable world. In a literal sense, the mist obfuscates understanding. It blocks the view of the people nearby and limits their ability to interact with the world. It dampens the human senses, making people feel isolated and alone in places they once felt were familiar. The mist becomes a symbol of the creeping horror of the unknown, preventing people from seeing and interacting with the world around them.

At the same time, David cannot shift his suspicion that the mist is a product of human interference.