Politics and Policing

From the first pages of the novel, Cash emphasizes the close, but often thorny relationship between politics and law enforcement. As Winston broods over his slim chances of winning re-election as sheriff, even the radio taunts him with a late-night discussion of “Mondale’s slim chances against Reagan” (8). National politics does not intrude in the foreground of the novel, but the 1984 presidential election mirrors and contextualizes the local battle between liberal-minded Winston and populist Bradley Frye. While Winston’s campaign posters implore people to “Vote for a man you can trust,” he suspects that many of them will instead vote for the man who has caught their attention (8). As students of the legal system, Colleen and her friends try to “drown out the voice of Ronald Reagan,” but their ideals are out of tune with the times (111).

While Winston tries to get on with...