Prejudice

One of the most dominant themes of the book is prejudice. Anne finds it everywhere she turns in Alaska. This is very difficult for her to deal with because she respects people and accepts them for what they are. Her attitude isn't the kind of attitude she finds in Alaska. The white people were very prejudiced against the Indians, most of whom lived in deplorable conditions. Anne comments on this to Cathy Winters at the Indian village and is told not to judge the Indians by white standards. Anne takes offense at the remark but then comes to understand it.

Anne is part Indian herself and cannot tolerate the bigotry against the Indians or being told she can't allow Indian children in her classroom. This causes her to have several nasty meetings with the school board, but she keeps the Indian children in her class. She also faces...