Ivan Doig's Montana and the creation of place-defining literature

Abstract

Cultural geographers explore many intersections between places and writers. This study examines two memoirs (This House of Sky, Heart Earth) and three novels (English Creek, Dancing at the Rascal Fair, Ride With Me, Mariah Montana) published by Montana author Ivan Doig between 1978 and 1993. Set in his native Montana, these works have been cited for their powerful place-based imagery and language. Doig's example is used to explore the concept of “place-defining” literature introduced in 1991 by geographer James “Pete” Shortridge. I identify five qualities in Doig's writing to mark his contribution to place-defining literature. These include (1) Doig's accurate descriptions of Montana localities and landscapes, (2) Doig's descriptions of the seasonal round of activities and weather, (3) Doig's use of national and global events to shape local narratives, (4) Doig's emphasis on work and labor, and (5) Doig's use of vernacular language to connect past and present landscapes within his stories. Doig exemplifies what Shortridge describes as a critically acclaimed writer who provides “penetrating, accurate insights into regional culture” (Shortridge 1991, p. 280). Doig's Montana memoirs and novels are an invaluable source of insight to those interested in defining the place identity and regional character of Big Sky Country.

Keywords:

• place identity
• place-defining literature
• cultural landscape
• Montana

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Acknowledgements

The author appreciates comments by anonymous reviewers and thanks fellow Montanan Matthew Fockler for his cartographic expertise in preparing the map for this manuscript.

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Notes on contributors

William Wyckoff

William Wyckoff is Professor of Geography in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University, P.O. Box 173480, Bozeman, MT 59717. Telephone: [phone]