Riders of the Purple Sage

Venters finds a hidden valley high on a wall in Deception Pass that was once occupied by Indigenous people, marked by a large rock on pedestal. What was once used as a protective measure for the people who once lived in the pass becomes a symbol of hope and danger. As Venters exits and enters the pass, he silently recognizes the danger of the rock and how it could crush anyone in its way. When he realizes his intent to stay with Bess, he acknowledges the protection the rock offers, inspiring his sense of hope that he and Bess can be together.

The entrance rock additionally becomes a pivotal moment of symbolism for Lassiter and Jane as they escape to Surprise Valley. For Lassiter, the rock becomes a symbol of his journey coming full circle. He enjoyed pushing rocks over as a child and does so again to protect his future with Jane. The significance of the moment is highlighted when Lassiter pauses, second-guessing whether he is making the right choice for himself and for Jane. The rock symbolizes a departure of a past life as she turns her back on the conflicts she has faced with the Mormon church. Furthermore, as the rock collapses on Tull, it symbolizes Jane’s confirmation of her love for Lassiter and rejection of the man assigned to her by her father’s posthumous hopes.

Finally, the rock becomes a symbol to communicate the novel’s theme of Gender Dominance and Dynamics. Lassiter’s pushing of the rock frees Jane from the religious expectations pressed upon her and illustrates the male hero rescuing the damsel in distress. In this case, Jane’s peril is one in which she would be required to serve Tull as a third wife.