Questions and Answers
The setting of the story is in what Oklahoma territory?
Osage settlement town of Gray Horse, Oklahoma
Who is the leading character in the story?
Mollie Burkhart
Why is the Osage territory so special?
The Osage had been driven from their lands in Kansas onto a seemingly worthless piece of land in northeastern Oklahoma. They later discovered that the land was sitting above some of the largest oil deposits in the US.
Name the capital of the Osage.
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What religious beliefs did Mollie's family practice?
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Explain the scenario that led to Anna's disappearance.
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What other member of the Osage went missing?
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What Osage Tribe members have been found deceased?
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What was the cause of Anna's death?
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What were the names of the brothers that were assigned to conduct the autopsy?
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What was the cursed blessing to the tribe?
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How would you describe Hale's life as a cowboy?
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The bullets that were taken from Whitehorn's skull were from what type of weapon?
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What was Hale named in Fairfax?
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What did Hale do for the Osage nation prior to their oil wealth?
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What could have given Oda a motive for murder?
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Explain the symbolism of the 'flower killing moon.'
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What were the Osage lands sitting on?
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What effect does the word choice of 'execution' have on the reader's perception of Anna's murder?
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What effect does the word 'hastily' have on the perception of the conduct of the coroner's inquest?
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What attitudes does Grann illuminate surrounding the Osage during this period?
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What is Grann implying about the police department involved in the case?
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What is the similarity between Anna and Charles's case?
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Study Notes
Setting and Importance
- Story is set in the Osage settlement town of Gray Horse, Oklahoma.
- Osage territory is significant due to its oil reserves, discovered atop previously undervalued land.
Key Characters
- Mollie Burkhart is the leading character in the narrative.
- Osage capital is Pawhuska.
Cultural Context
- Mollie’s family practices a blend of Osage and Catholic beliefs.
Disappearances and Deaths
- Anna, a family member of Mollie, disappears after a confrontation that includes drunken behavior and arguments.
- Charles Whitehorn also goes missing just a week prior to Anna.
- Both Anna and Charles Whitehorn were found deceased, with Anna dying from a gunshot wound.
Investigative Details
- Autopsy conducted by brothers James and David Shoun, local physicians respected by Mollie's family.
- The term "cursed blessing" refers to oil, highlighting both its wealth and the ensuing tragedy.
Hale's Background
- Hale, a cowboy turned lawman, had a challenging life fraught with hard labor for meager pay.
- Initially portrayed as a benefactor to the Osage before the discovery of oil wealth.
- Held the title of reserved deputy sheriff in Fairfax.
Motives and Violence
- Oda, Anna's ex-husband, may have had a motive for murder due to being cut off from inheritance after their divorce.
- Symbolism of the "flower killing moon" links to the spring bloom in May, coinciding with the onset of the killings.
Legal and Social Commentary
- Anna's murder described with the term "execution," emphasizing its brutality—she was shot in the back of the head.
- The word "hastily" illustrates a rushed, careless approach in the coroner's inquest, reflecting negligence in the investigation.
- Grann's perspective reveals societal attitudes towards the Osage, showcasing a mix of wealth and underlying racism.
Police and Crime Scene Investigation
- Implication of oversight within the police department, suggesting incompetence in documentation and evidence collection.
- Similarities in Anna and Charles’s cases: both were shot in the back of the head with a .32-caliber pistol and left exposed to the elements.
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Description
Explore the complexities surrounding Mollie Burkhart's life in the Osage settlement of Gray Horse, Oklahoma, where cultural identity, tragedy, and wealth collide. Understand the impact of oil discoveries on the Osage community and the troubling disappearances and deaths that unfolded. Investigate key characters and themes in this poignant narrative.