The Big Sky: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Big Sky" explores the complexities of its major characters against the backdrop of the American frontier. Central to the narrative is Boone Caudill, a young mountain man characterized by his strength, independence, and impulsive nature. He harbors a deep resentment toward eastern immigrants and is on a relentless quest to marry Teal Eye, a Blackfoot chief's daughter who has navigated her own harrowing experiences. Their tumultuous relationship faces significant strain, particularly as Boone grapples with suspicion regarding their son’s paternity, leading to tragic consequences.
Other key figures include Jim Deakins, Boone's lively yet restless friend, whose fate becomes intertwined with Boone's jealousy, and Dick Summers, an aging hunter who reflects on his past as he transitions to a more settled life. The narrative also introduces Jourdonnais, a determined French captain, and a range of supporting characters that enrich the tapestry of frontier life, including the amusing Poordevil and the scheming Elisha Peabody. Each character embodies distinct traits and motivations, contributing to the thematic exploration of loyalty, identity, and the struggles of life in a rapidly changing landscape. This character analysis provides insight into the interpersonal dynamics and moral dilemmas faced by those living on the edge of civilization.
The Big Sky: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: A. B. Guthrie, Jr.
First published: 1947
Genre: Novel
Locale: Western United States
Plot: Adventure
Time: 1830–1843
Boone Caudill, a young mountain man, strong, reticent, moody, quick to anger, and savage when crossed. Like an Indian, he wears his long hair braided. He loves the open country and the independent life of a hunter, and he resents the settlement of the West by eastern immigrants. Stubborn and brave, he is less a thinker than a doer. Having set his mind on marrying Teal Eye, he is unceasing in his search until he finds her. Once the suspicion about the source of his son's red hair has been put into his mind, he broods on it until he finds the suspicion apparently confirmed, and he kills innocent Jim Deakins, whom he had once saved. After learning that his son could have inherited his red hair through Boone himself, he is deeply troubled. Yet he appears to regard the shooting of Jim not as a crime but only as a grave injustice to his best friend.
Teal Eye, his Indian wife, the young daughter of a Blackfoot chief. As a child she was captured by Crows, escaped, was rescued, and was taken to St. Louis. While being returned to her people so that she may be used as a basis for a friendship to be established between Jourdonnais and the Blackfoot Indians, she escapes in Blackfoot territory. Found long afterward with her people by Boone, she happily accepts him as her husband, and she bears his son. Though he deserts her when he suspects the baby's paternity, he is at the story's end on his way back to Teal Eye, in whose faithful love he now believes.
Jim Deakins, Boone's red-haired, talkative friend, who enjoys companionship, joking, drinking, and bedding down with women. Restless, he never likes to stay anywhere for long, especially away from the communities where he can enjoy associating with men and women. He is shot to death by Boone, who suspects him of having fathered Teal Eye's reddish-haired son.
Dick Summers, an old hunter, long-chinned with a lined, lean, and humorous face. He lives much in the past. Realizing that he is too old to continue the life of a mountain man, he returns east, marries, and becomes a farmer.
Jourdonnais, a French keelboat captain ambitious to build a trading post and establish his own company. He is killed in an Indian attack on his new fort.
Poordevil, a half-witted Blackfoot, ugly, tousle-haired, long-nosed, and gap-toothed. He loves whiskey and is often amusing with his rough trapper-talk English.
Elisha Peabody, a Yankee speculator who envisons hordes of Americans pushing westward and himself or his agents profiting from their passage.
McKenzie, an American Fur Company trader, cold-eyed, broad-faced, something of a dandy, and a deceitful bargainer. He loses his job because of whiskey-making.
Uncle Zeb Calloway, an old-time mountain man, brother of Serena Caudill. He is grizzled, long-nosed, and bushy-browed; he drinks heavily.
John Caudill and Serena Caudill, Boone's parents.
Red Horn, brother of Teal Eye. He succeeds his father, Heavy Otter, as chief after smallpox kills most of the Piegans, a tribe of Blackfoot Indians.
Jonathan Bedwell, a thief who steals Boone's rifle.
Streak, a hunter killed by Boone in a fight after Streak threatens to kill Poordevil.
Nancy Litsey, a foolish and forward young girl whom Boone takes sexually on one occasion on his return home.
Dan Caudill, Boone's younger brother.
Cora Caudill, Boone's sister-in-law.
Punk Caudill and Andy Caudill, Boone's two young nephews.