Hattie Big Sky

The Montana sky is a motif that highlights Hattie’s resilience and her hope for the future. Hattie feels drawn to the vastness of the Montana sky several times throughout the novel. While the sky almost terrifies her at first because it seems to go on forever, she soon grows to love it. The sky symbolizes Hattie’s strength because she looks up at it when she feels lost or confused. Often, Hattie looks at the sky for the practical reason of seeing if there are rain clouds. However, other times, the sky becomes more symbolic because Hattie looks to it for a sign to see if she is doing the right thing in her life. While the sky does not always hold the answers to these questions, Hattie finds comfort in the sky because it gives her a feeling of hope and possibility. At the novel’s end, Hattie looks at the sky as she leaves, thinking that “Montana had kept her promise. [She] did find a home” (400). Hattie’s personification of the sky shows her newfound ability to trust in her strength, even as she feels unsure of the future.

Wishing stones are a symbol of Hattie’s dreams. When Charlie leaves for the war, Hattie gives him a wishing stone to remember her by because he was the person who taught her about them when they were younger. Hattie hopes that this token will encourage Charlie in the war, and even keep him alive for when she can see him again. Hattie teaches Chase and Mattie about wishing stones because she also thinks that they need something to believe in, especially as they feel isolated from the other children in the community. Mattie’s decision to keep a stone in her pocket to save for later inspires Hattie because she realizes that her dreams will take time. Hattie does not believe that wishing stones can fix her problems because she is too old to believe in such things. However, the recurring symbol of the wishing stone signifies Hattie’s inner belief and hope that her dreams of finding a family and feeling a part of a community will come true.