Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Moon of the Crusted Snow, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Technology, Society, and Survival
Colonialism, Oppression, and Trauma
Selfishness vs. Selflessness
Gender, Power, and Wisdom
Summary
Analysis
It’s rations day again; Tyler warns the group that they’ll have to keep an eye on some people who became unruly last time. Evan and Tyler go to fetch cans of chili and realize that several boxes are missing. Confused, they fetch cans of corn and beans to top up the rations. People have been growing weary and resentful of living on canned food, especially those who didn’t prepare for the winter. Evan and Tyler hand out cans in silence, thinking that life will never return to what they knew before. Terry is here too, but Walter makes all the decisions now, since Terry can’t bear to make tough choices.
Rice reinforces the idea that indigenous values—like preparing for the winter, as the myth about Nanabush advises—teach valuable lessons that help people cope in hard times, while technology does the exact opposite. Those who relied heavily on modern technology and conveniences before the blackout are suffering from hunger. They’re also far more demoralized by the possibility of coping (both emotionally and practically) without technology in the future. Evan’s family, however, draw strength from their traditional Anishinaabe knowledge, because they already know it’s wise to prepare for unforeseen hardships in advance. The land is a more reliable source of sustenance than modern conveniences, which are fallible.
Themes
A woman walks in, and she updates the group about Scott, who’s apparently hoarding firewood. The woman explains that she still has some moose meat left, and Terry adjust her rations accordingly. She’s grateful for their help. They’ve been trying to save protein-rich foods for homes with small children, though they think that some people are abusing the handouts. The morning passes quietly as the group hands out cans, trying to be fair. The line is much longer, and people seem greedier than usual. A fight breaks out over somebody cutting in line, and it rapidly grows into an all-out brawl. Even Evan and Tyler are fighting each other.
The community is continuing to embody communal values and plan for the future by allocating protein-rich canned food to children. Evan and his circle allocate protein for the children so that they can grow and sustain the community in adulthood. They do this in spite of everyone’s growing desperation about food, which is clearly wearing on them. Scott, meanwhile, is doing the exact opposite: hoarding resources for himself.
Themes
Suddenly, four shots of gunfire ring out. It’s Scott—he shot his rifle into the air to calm the crowd. He’s surprised to see Evan and Tyler fighting. Scott heads inside with them, asking why things are so out of control. The people in the line watch Scott uneasily. He leans in and quietly says that he knows they’re running out of food, and—based on the brawl—people are growing desperate and more violent. Scott says that he knows where they can find more food, if they’re willing to work with him. Then, he turns around and walks out.
Scott thinks that his selfish behavior will be valuable to the community, and that he can save them with his hoarding and intimidation tactics. However, Scott’s selfishness is likely causing people to hate him, meaning that they’ll be quick to turn on him when the opportunity strikes. Scott also thinks that his physical aggression makes him better equipped for leadership than the Anishinaabe elders’ wisdom and experience—but this will likely be proven wrong too.
Themes
