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1. Notice that the first chapter in this book is different from the 2nd chapter. Notice also the atmosphere-producing language. You might want to read some of this chapter aloud, to get a feeling for the setting. What is the effect of this device?
2. As you read, you probably have ambivalent feelings about Eleanor Friedman-Bernal. Part of the suspense is in the reader wondering what part she plays in the plot. On p. 154 (chapter 9), it becomes obvious that she is a serious suspect in the murders. On p. 219(chapter 13), it is suggested that she is doing something illegal. If she is to be a sympathetic character, how do we reconcile this activity?
3. Notice the differing attitudes of Joe Leaphorn and L. D. Thatcher in chapter 2. Consider why a Navajo would think it reasonable for Eleanor to retain her family name after marriage and an Anglo would not. Although Thatcher and Leaphorn are collegues and respect one another, Leaphorn finds Thatcher irritating, as on p. 145 (chapter 8) when Leaphorn?s heroism (or grandstanding?) is mentioned. Harrison Houk says that Leaphorn had recognized the boy?s humanity, but Thatcher thinks of the very real danger. How do you respond to this relationship?
4. On page 27 (chapter 2), Leaphorn considers the practical problems of the ancient communities of Chaco. Why does Hillerman include these musings?
5. On p. 28 (chapter 2), Leaphorn considers traditional Navajo response to the dead. This response is referred to throughout the book; for example, on p. 63 (chapter 4), he considers burning his house to rid himself of memories that are preventing him from moving on with his life. How are the belief in chindi (the bad part of someone dead) and the various practices arising from that belief different from modern beliefs?
6. In chapter 2, Leaphorn?s dead wife Emma is introduced. She returns in Leaphorn?s thoughts many times, as on p. 131 (chapter 8), where he thinks about not having had the time to get away from outside influences to be with her. What sort of commentary is Hillerman making here?
7. Notice the use of fragment sentence on p. 30(chapter 2) to emphasize Leaphorn?s grief. Consider how language usage can express more than the words say.
8. On p. 38(chapter 2), Leaphorn comments about Navajos who have become Christian. He also considers the value of ancient pots ? Tonto (place) Polychrome (coloration) olla (kind of pot) and Mimbres (cultural group) are aspects of sorting pots. Why does he grimace as he reads the catalog?
9. At the end of chapter 2, p. 41, Hillerman mentions Harrison Houk and his family, an important consideration later in the book. On p. 115 (chapter 6), Houk is said to be unusual. His effective memory on p. 135 (chapter 8) marks him as such. Notice the way Hillerman makes the reader interested in the various aspects of the story.
discussion 2:
1. In chapter 3 p. 50, Jim Chee is compared to a coyote in a derogatory and subtle way. How is his response indicative of his state of mind?
2. When Chee is driving Janet Peet?s car to test it for her, he uses it to chase a suspect and drives fast on a dirt road. Consider what he will have to tell Peet later. How different from his will her assessment be of the damage to the car? Notice also the casual attitude Chee has to walking long distances. How does that compare to modern American feelings about walking?
3. Like many chapters, chapter 4 starts with some vivid description. How does the amount and kind of description aid the reader in understanding the story?
4. Consider Leaphorn?s conversations with Slick Nakai. Does he consider Nakai reliable? Does Chee? What kind of information does Nakai provide on p. 73 (chapter 4)? What do Nakia?s comments about the mountain (p. 75) say about him and the situation? On p. 77, what relationship does he draw between the Hopi and the Navajo?
5. On p. 81(chapter 4), reference is made to Navajo time, a more relaxed way of looking at time. What does the comment say about the interaction of cultures in Leaphorn?
6. In chapter 5 p. 89, Chee is shown as having an orderly mind, appropriate for a detective. Consider his thoughts about the half-moon. Consider also his comment on p. 157(chapter 9) about the missing bags. Would his observation necessarily be valid, given the fact that sometimes boxes do not contain as many items as are advertised?
7. On p. 93 (chapter 5), the atmosphere is tense because of Chee?s concern about the person who may be in the area. How does the reference to the coyote emphasize that tension and help to make the scene vivid?
8. When he finds one dead man, Chee is upset, but when he finds the dug up graves and the second dead man, he is thoroughly shaken. Why does he panic?
9. Consider the commentary on the telephone system and its advancement in chapter 6, p. 99. What is accomplished by this description?
10. Background information is neatly inserted on p. 105 (chapter 6), background on the culture and on Ellie. What does this inclusion do for the reader?
11. On p. 107(chapter 6), Maxie Davis insists that the one potter Ellie has been researching is a woman. Why? What difference does the gender make to our understanding of the culture? our understanding of early humans? our concept of what is “natural” for humans?
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