 A significant portion of the films labyrinthine plot is revealed on  a throwaway prop that most casual viewers rarely notice. Just before  the Indian raid on the Edwards homestead, the tombstone that Debbie  hides next to reveals the source of Ethans glaring hatred for  Native Americans. The marker reads: "Here lies Mary Jane Edwards  killed by Commanches May 12, 1852. A good wife and mother in her  41st year." Sixteen years earlier, Ethans own mother was massacred  by Comanches.