Nature

The theme of nature can be traced throughout the novel. The primary setting is the Washington Territories. Given that the territory is largely unsettled, it is rich with trees, creeks, canals, and the wild of the forests.

When Tom, the Indian about to be put to death, talks with Chin, he watches the moon from his cell window. He is captivated by it, coming to terms with the fact that this is the last time he will be seeing the moon. He hears birds and an owl comes to visit. During his conversation with Chin, he seems to pass on a fascination with the moon. Chin reflects throughout the novel about seeing the moon when Tom cannot, or how on a stormy night, he won’t be able to see the moon. Tom also tells of Lake Whe-atchee, which possesses a shoreline that changes.

When Chin...