What is life like in Montana 1948

Life is rough and unfair. The key of the novel is the stark reality that following the rule of law does not equate with delivering justice. Prejudices against Native Americans, the influence of wealth and privilege and ignorance all conspire to allow the law to be enforced, but justice to be denied. The arrest of Frank Hayden also focuses this thematic light on one of the most insidious forms of perverting the true course of justice: public opinion suspects or victims and the pressure this places on the judicial system to act fairly and equitably in a way true to the concept of justice being blind.