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
Evan, Tyler, and Isaiah approach the bungalow complex, warning one another to keep their guns on their shoulders so that Scott doesn’t shoot at them straight away. Smelling smoke, Evan notices that there’s a fire burning out back. They make their way toward it, feeling anxious and uneasy. Scott, Brad Connor, and Alex Richer are standing in front of a large fire pit; a pot simmers on top of the fire. The two groups of men greet each other cautiously. Noticing Evan, Tyler, and Isaiah’s guns, Scott asks if they’ve been hunting. Evan plays along, saying that they didn’t catch anything. Scott laughs and asks them why they’re really here.
The men know that Scott is a ‘shoot first, think later’ kind of man who’s motivated by his aggression. Meanwhile, the pot simmering on the fire, along with Scott’s menacing attitude, confirms Evan’s growing suspicions that Scott stole a body to cook and eat.
Themes
Evan asks why Scott said he knew what to eat when the food runs out and asks what’s in the pot. Scott dismissively tells them not to worry about the “experiment” on the pot. He calmly tells Evan that this community is growing desperate, and that chaos will ensue when the handouts run out. Most people don’t even know how to trap food. Evan exhales angrily and points out that they’ve been fine without Scott for generations. As the argument escalates, Cam emerges, covered in blood, and begins sobbing.
Scott’s assumption that the Anishinaabe need his leadership to survive parallels represents early colonizers’ authoritarian attitudes toward First Nations people. Evan’s exasperated reaction suggests that such attitudes were deeply insulting to indigenous communities, who thrived for generations on their own. Scott insists that he’s doing what the community needs, though it’s clear that his own followers (like Cam) are deeply traumatized.
Themes
Feeling sick, Evan asks if they stole a body. Scott replies that it’s a matter of survival. Tyler angrily calls Scott a cannibal and lunges at him, but Evan intervenes, asking to see the pot. Scott pulls out a pistol and fires three shots. Evan falls to the ground. Scott turns to shoot Tyler and Isaiah but his head bursts open, spraying blood everywhere, before he falls to the ground—Meghan is standing behind him, her rifle smoking. Tyler scrambles to help Evan, and Meghan points her gun at Alex and Brad. Isaiah watches them carefully, knowing that they’ll be banished now without Scott to hide behind. Cautiously, Isaiah steps toward the pot to see what’s inside.
Scott’s attempts to subjugate his followers using aggression, fear-mongering, and sexism end up backfiring. Just as Scott shoots Evan, Meghan—who’s been demoralized by the abuse she experienced under Scott’s leadership—turns on Scott and shoots him in the back. This outcome implies that sexism and intimidation are ultimately futile: though Scott uses such tactics to increase his power, he also fosters contempt and dissent, thereby undermining his plans and triggering his own death.
Themes
