Dream State

The Montana setting plays an important role in the novel’s conflict. It is a landscape beloved by the three main characters, but its ecosystem has been harmed by the effects of climate change. Montana encompasses a vast area—the fourth largest American state—with prairie lands in the east and mountain ranges in the west. Historically, it is known for its hot summers and cold winters, with snow prevalent in much of the state during those months. Areas with heavy snowfall are known to average 300 inches per year. Yet the climate is highly impacted by the Continental Divide: The area west of the divide experiences much milder winters, cooler summers, and more regular precipitation. Mountain valleys there have made Montana fertile for growing and harvesting grain (“Climate of Montana.” Western Regional Climate Center).

In the 20th century, Montana’s environment has been significantly impacted by climate change. Since the 1980s, the state’s temperature averages have risen by 2˚ Fahrenheit. This means that dangerous heat waves have become more frequent, and snow melt can occur earlier in the spring. The presence of snow shapes Montana in several ways—not only does its tourism industry depend on it for skiing, but a decrease in snowpack (snow accumulation over the course of a winter) also changes the tree line, causing it to shift.