Nutty is David’s horse, who stays in the stables at Grandpa Hayden’s house. When Grandpa Hayden confronts Wesley about the arrest of Frank, Wesley tells David he can never let Grandpa in the house ever again. David cries, not because his family had been ripped apart, or because his relationship with his grandfather has forever changed, but because he fears he will never see Nutty again. This is, however, not a trivial impulse on David’s part—Nutty is a figure for childhood itself. The horse had enabled David’s exploration, his long walks, hunting and fishing expeditions, and imaginary adventures. When David mourns the loss of Nutty, he is not merely mourning a pet, but sorrowfully acknowledging that his life will never be the same as it once was, that his childhood as it was will never return.
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Nutty Symbol Timeline in Montana 1948
The timeline below shows where the symbol Nutty appears in Montana 1948. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
...this is stunting his personal and social growth. But David is happy here—he rides his horse, Nutty, and goes fishing, hiking and hunting. He feels that out in the country is...
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Chapter 2
David goes for a ride on his horse Nutty around his Grandfather’s ranch. As he rides, he sees his father and Uncle Frank...
(full context)
Chapter 3
...these tragic events. He is crying because he is afraid he will never see his horse Nutty again, which is stabled at his grandfather’s house. He knows he should be crying...
(full context)
