Beartooth Summary, Characters and Themes

Beartooth by Callan Winkis a visceral, poetic, and haunting novel that takes us deep into the rugged backcountry of Montana. 

Centered on two brothers—Thad, the burdened older sibling, and Hazen, the wild and erratic younger one—the story brings to us a tale of survival, crime, fractured family bonds, and the legacy of masculine stoicism. Wink crafts a world where the wilderness mirrors the characters’ internal disarray. Choices born of desperation carry weighty consequences. This is a novel about inheritance—land, trauma, responsibility—and what it means to live on the edge of law, morality, and belonging.

Summary

In the remote wilderness of Montana, brothers Thad and Hazen live on the brink—both geographically and emotionally.

The novel opens with a grim but defining act: the two are deep in the forest, illegally poaching bears to sell their gallbladders and pelts on the black market.

This dangerous and brutal work sustains them financially amid economic hardship. But it also draws them into a shadowy world full of moral compromise.

Thad is the older of the two, burdened with responsibility after their father’s death. He is rational and reserved, struggling to maintain their crumbling family home and keep Hazen’s volatility in check.

Hazen, younger and wilder, is more attuned to the wilderness and less bound by rules. The brothers’ relationship is fraught but loyal—shaped by their father’s harsh expectations and years of shared hardship.

They sell the bear parts to a shadowy figure known as the Scot, a physically imposing man with a violent past who operates on the edge of legality.

His silent daughter, ethereal and mysterious, adds an eerie air to their dealings. Though the exchange goes smoothly at first, unease lingers.

The Scot is not merely a buyer—he’s a force of threat and ambiguity, emblematic of a world where might often overrides morality.

Soon, the brothers’ fragile domestic situation is further upended when their estranged mother, Sacajawea, suddenly reappears after years away.

Eccentric and seemingly indifferent to past grievances, she lives in a van on their property and unsettles the delicate balance in the house.

Her return brings up old emotional wounds, particularly for Hazen, who forms an unexpected connection with her.

Flashbacks throughout the novel provide insight into their father’s severe but principled upbringing.

Cold physical challenges meant to toughen them, home-schooling steeped in survivalism, and a deep distrust of external institutions all shaped their worldview.

Thad has internalized much of this legacy. He continues to maintain the family homestead despite its slow decay.

Their lives become more precarious when Hazen, during a bar conversation, reveals their knowledge of a rich elk antler site within Yellowstone National Park.

The Scot takes interest, but Thad resists—well aware that such areas are closely monitored by park rangers using microchipped traps.

Tensions escalate as the Scot begins to suspect that the brothers are withholding profitable secrets.

Meanwhile, Hazen becomes increasingly erratic. He sets a forest tree ablaze despite warnings, begins speaking to animals, and appears disconnected from reality.

His actions draw federal attention. Park rangers, helicopters, and dogs begin sweeping the land.

Hazen vanishes into the wild, possibly to escape arrest or out of sheer instability.

Thad, left alone, is worn down physically and emotionally. He endures grueling labor clearing storm-damaged timber and struggles to maintain the household.

The Scot returns, demanding answers and eventually confronting Thad violently. Hazen briefly reappears, only to be beaten by the Scot during a final conflict.

He reveals he kept some antlers hidden—suggesting deeper secrets and paranoia.

After this, Hazen disappears for good. Rumors swirl of a federal crackdown on poaching rings, but the Scot escapes prosecution, likely cutting a deal.

Thad is left to deal with the wreckage: his brother gone, their family fractured, and their home deteriorating.

In the novel’s final moments, Thad, now resigned, shoulders the burden of a life shaped by choices not entirely his own.

As winter approaches, the landscape—once both a refuge and a threat—mirrors his internal desolation.

Hazen’s fate remains unresolved. The cycle of violence, inheritance, and longing continues, unbroken.

Characters

Thad

Thad is the novel’s central character, a man tethered to a legacy he doesn’t entirely want. As the older brother, he carries the weight of responsibility, managing the inherited family property and navigating the consequences of his actions in an unforgiving landscape.

Thad is practical, grounded, and deeply reflective about his life and the choices he’s made. His stoicism reflects the harsh values instilled in him by his father, a man who valued endurance and self-reliance above all else.

Thad’s character is shaped by a desire to protect his brother Hazen, yet he often feels trapped by the very circumstances that force him into these protective roles. His struggles are internal, with a growing sense of weariness and frustration that emerges as he confronts the harsh realities of rural life and the limitations of his inherited role.

Thad represents a link to the past—a man fighting to uphold ideals that may no longer be viable in the modern world.

Hazen

Hazen, the younger brother, is impulsive, erratic, and driven more by instinct than thought. He is the wild counterpart to Thad’s grounded nature, embodying a sense of rebellion against their father’s rigid teachings.

Hazen’s actions are often reckless, as seen in his wild approach to poaching and his eventual descent into mental instability. His psychological decline is a key aspect of the novel, as his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disconnected from reality.

Hazen represents the younger generation’s struggle to reconcile with their heritage while facing an uncertain future. He is deeply affected by the loss of his father and the subsequent absence of their mother, Sacajawea.

His attachment to her—despite her eccentricity—highlights his desire for connection and understanding in a world that offers little emotional stability. In many ways, Hazen’s instability becomes a tragic force in the story, driving the plot into deeper conflict and uncertainty.

Sacajawea

Sacajawea, the mother of Thad and Hazen, is an enigmatic figure who returns to their lives after years of absence. Her unconventional lifestyle and spiritual practices—such as yoga and an unashamed disregard for societal expectations—contrast sharply with the hard, pragmatic world Thad and Hazen inhabit.

Sacajawea represents a break from tradition, challenging the masculine legacy of their father and the rigid expectations placed on her sons. Her return is unsettling, particularly for Thad, who is burdened by the weight of family responsibilities.

Her aloofness and emotional distance highlight the dysfunctional nature of their family dynamic. But her presence also offers a glimmer of possible redemption, as she provides Hazen with the connection he craves, even as she disturbs the fragile equilibrium of their home life.

Sacajawea’s character serves as a catalyst for both conflict and reflection, forcing Thad and Hazen to grapple with their past and their present in complex ways.

The Scot

The Scot is a pivotal antagonist in Beartooth, representing danger, lawlessness, and moral ambiguity. He is a towering figure, physically imposing and morally compromised, a symbol of the corrupting influence of power and wealth.

His violent past—having killed a teenager suspected of theft—casts a long shadow over his interactions with the brothers. Despite his menace, the Scot is also a figure of pragmatism, entering into relationships based on mutually beneficial transactions, such as the buying of poached bear parts and antlers.

The Scot’s relationship with Thad and Hazen is transactional and fraught with tension, as they find themselves increasingly entangled with him in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. His presence in the story highlights the theme of inescapable moral compromise, as he embodies the dark side of survival in a ruthless, lawless environment.

Themes

The Complexities of Masculinity, Legacy, and Responsibility

At the core of Beartooth lies a profound exploration of masculinity and the ways in which it is shaped by generational trauma, the harsh environment, and societal expectations. The brothers Thad and Hazen are wrestling not only with their personal identities but also with the legacies passed down by their father.

Thad, who is more responsible and grounded, often carries the weight of these expectations, feeling compelled to uphold the family land and legacy despite its decay. His stoic nature is a reflection of the masculine ideals instilled in him by his father—values of endurance, survival, and self-reliance.

Hazen, on the other hand, embodies a more chaotic, impulsive version of masculinity. His behavior, marked by erratic actions and a disconnect from societal norms, highlights the tension between the traditional, stoic masculinity Thad clings to and a more modern, rebellious form that Hazen represents.

This theme delves into how masculine identity is not a singular experience but is fractured, influenced by one’s circumstances and inherited roles. It raises the question of whether masculinity is something that can be redefined or if it is bound by the weight of ancestral expectations and the physical environment.

Economic Survival and the Moral Ambiguity of Lawlessness

The economic struggle is another central theme in Beartooth, with the brothers relying on illegal activities—bear poaching and antler harvesting—as a means of survival. This desperate search for financial stability in a world that seems to offer few legitimate opportunities is a reflection of rural economic decay, where the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred.

The brothers’ poaching activities are emblematic of a broader societal issue: the erosion of ethical boundaries when survival is at stake. The novel does not shy away from showing the complexities of criminal behavior, as the brothers’ actions are driven not by greed but by the urgent need to survive.

This moral ambiguity challenges the reader to reconsider the concept of “criminality” within the context of a collapsing economy and societal neglect. The Scot, a key antagonist, represents the dangers of operating outside the law, where the pursuit of profit leads to further violence and manipulation.

As the brothers navigate their illicit trade, they are faced with questions of moral compromise and the consequences of living on the margins of society.

Psychological Fragility and the Erosion of Stability

The novel also paints a vivid picture of mental instability and emotional decay, particularly through the character of Hazen. His erratic behavior—ranging from starting fires to becoming obsessed with dreams—speaks to a deeper psychological fracture that is difficult to explain through rationality alone.

Hazen’s instability may stem from trauma, guilt, or an inability to reconcile his place within the harsh world around him. His behavior is a manifestation of the fragility of the human mind when subjected to extreme isolation, loss, and the weight of unresolved familial tensions.

This mental unraveling contrasts with Thad’s stoicism, where emotional repression becomes a coping mechanism for maintaining control over his circumstances. However, Thad too is not immune to the pressures of his environment, and the stress of maintaining a failing homestead slowly erodes his mental state as well.

The novel portrays the psychological toll of living in a world of constant uncertainty, where both external forces (the wilderness, criminal elements) and internal forces (family dynamics, personal regrets) contribute to a slow but inevitable unraveling of the characters’ stability.

The Wilderness as Both Sanctuary and Threat

The wilderness in Beartooth serves as both a refuge and a danger, encapsulating the duality of nature as both a space for survival and a source of relentless challenge. Set in the backcountry of Montana, the natural landscape is as much a character as the brothers themselves, shaping their actions and their identities.

For Thad and Hazen, the wilderness is both a sanctuary—a place to escape the pressures of society—and a threat, a constant reminder of their vulnerability. The harshness of the environment parallels the emotional and moral challenges the brothers face, with every choice they make—whether it be poaching bears or navigating a dangerous relationship with the Scot—having profound consequences.

The wilderness amplifies their isolation, stripping away societal comforts and forcing them to confront the brutal realities of their existence. Yet, it is also a place where moments of fleeting beauty occur, offering brief respite from the turmoil that defines their lives.

The interplay between these contrasting elements of nature underscores the novel’s meditation on survival, both physical and emotional, in a world that offers little in terms of security or salvation.