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
Nicole wakes up and is uneasy as she feels the frigid air. She notices that the alarm clock is dead and heads into the hallway, where it’s even colder. The battery-powered kitchen clock says it’s 7:30. Evan walks in, also noticing how cold it is, and Nicole says the power is out, assuming it’s just temporary. Evan chuckles and heads downstairs to start up the old furnace. Before the hydroelectricity dam was built, everyone on the reservation relied on the wood furnace for heat, and they used propane and diesel tanks to fuel their appliances. As the kids saunter in, Nicole tests the landline—it’s dead.
The cold is inhibiting in this remote region, even before winter fully sets in. As before, Evan and Nicole’s mood remains light, and they easily adjust without power, simply reverting to the furnace they used before electricity powered their appliances. Their reaction again shows that they’re not so dependent on technology that they can’t function without it.
Themes
Nicole’s older cousin Tammy knocks on the door. The power, internet, and phone line are disconnected at her place, so she came by on foot to share news that the school is closed today. Nicole and Tammy joke that they’ve gotten too used to being on the grid and should go back to smoke signals. Meanwhile, Evan is a little worried—it’s been over a year since the whole town was off the grid. Tammy (who’s 15 years older than Evan) jokes that she’s been fine without the grid for most of her life and tells him not to worry. Tammy scoops up Nangohns for a hug on her way out, and she invites Evan and Nicole over for poker night tomorrow.
Tammy reveals that the wider community can also easily adapt without power—they rely on face-to-face communication to share important information (like the school’s closure). Tammy’s life experience in living without technology, and her lack of fear about coping without it, mitigate any unease the family feels about the possibility that the blackout will last a little longer.
Themes
Noticing the chill in the air, Evan decides to split wood for the furnace before the first big snowfall arrives. Even though the sky is clear, there’s a chilly bite in the air, and he can tell that there will be a snowstorm soon. Evan’s community maintenance job will get busier, as he’ll need to plow the streets. Evan approaches a massive pile of logs in the backyard (which were collected by the community), and he pulls off a few for splitting. He swings his axe, and the log splits with deafening echoes. Suddenly, Evan hears his brother Cam complimenting his swing. Cam came by because he’s bored without power; he doesn’t have a job, so he mostly plays video games.
Evan’s immediate reaction to the ongoing blackout is to stay calm and prepare supplies for managing without electricity (like wood to fuel the furnace). This implies that the land provides Evan with what he needs to get by. Cam, meanwhile, embodies the opposite attitude: he’s dependent on technology (especially video games) to entertain himself, which distracts him from being productive.
Themes
Cam lives with his girlfriend, Sydney, in the temporary housing that the hydroelectric dam contractors used (and left behind when they finished building the dam). Evan asks if Cam has enough wood to heat his place while the power is out, and Cam says he thinks so, though he doesn’t seem to bothered about it. Evan is only two years older than Cam, but he’s much more responsible. Evan spent his teenage years learning indigenous land-based survival skills instead of playing video games. Evan teases Cam for a minute, and then Cam reluctantly agrees to help Evan split the logs. In the distance, dogs are barking—they can also sense that a storm is coming.
Cam relies on technology and urban infrastructure for everything—including entertainment, fuel, and food. Cam’s reliance on technology has seemingly made him lazy—he’s used to the instant gratification and low-effort lifestyle that technology enables, and he’s somewhat dependent on these things to get by. Cam assumes that he can simply rely on modern amenities to get by without trying too hard. In contrast, Evan has diligently cultivated a proactive, survival-oriented mindset based on his indigenous culture, which is rooted in learning how to live off the land. The difference between their lifestyles will profoundly affect how well each brother handles the ongoing blackout.
Themes
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