Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

Section one: pages What the name of the town is and what it might symbolise. The name of the town is Bentrock. This could symbolise that some people might be crooked or might have some problems with their brains.

Impressions of Montana, the land, surroundings, etc. Montana –harsh landscape “dry and sparse”, “the wind never stops blowing”. Farm and ranch country with extreme temperatures eg 106 degrees in July and -40 in January.

David’s portrayal of his father, the town sheriff He wanted his father to look like a western sheriff and “as far as I was concerned it was the wrong kind of gun for a sheriff.” pg 17 He didn’t match his sons ideal of how a sheriff should be. He wanted his father to be stronger and braver: “And that disappointed me at the time. As long as my father was going to be a sheriff, a position with so much potential for excitement, danger, and bravery, why couldn’t some of that promise be fulfilled?” pg 17

Section two: pages David Hayden’s character and personality traits. He wanted to grow up wild. “Wildness meant to me, getting out of town and into the country” He never knew how to behave in town he loved to ride, swim, hunt, fish. He liked that being out of twn allowed him to ‘Be”.

Gail Hayden & Julian Hayden’s expectations of Wesley. Why? Expected him to do what he was told. In order to retain his power in the county: “ he turned the post (of sheriff) over to my father.” It would never have occurred to my father to refuse.

Section three: pages David’s relationship with Marie little Soldier. Effect on him compared to that of other adults. On pgs David goes into detail about Marie’s looks and background, He then states: “and I loved her. Because she talked to me, cared for me…because she was older but not too old…because she was not as quiet and conventional as every other adult I knew…because she was sexy, though my love for her was, as a 12 year olds love often is, chaste. Pgs 25/26

Elements of racism being introduced. Ronnie Tall Bear’s story- great sportsman “finest athlete the region ever produced” “I realise now how much I was part of that era’s thinking: I never wondered then as I do now, why a college didn’t snap up Ronnie…I knew…that college was not for Indians.”

David’s recurring role/function in the novel His is the narrator; he describes what is occurring although because of his age, he does not fully understand what is going on.

Foreshadowing: what the ‘prologue’ foreshadowed about this event and what this event might be foreshadowing about the rest of the story. The prologue told of the events that would happen in the novel; “a young Sioux woman lies on a bed in our house. She is feverish, delirious, and coughing so hard I am afraid she will die.”

Section four: pages Why David might wonder about whether “the sweat (was) hers or mine?” David has a crush on her and he is beginning to be aware of his feelings for her.

How Marie’s anxiety about seeing the doctor, Frank, is explained. “My guess she has never been to anyone but the tribal medicine man.” Wesley thinks she is scared of modern medicine.

Awareness of racism and prejudice (via Frank & Wes) “my father did not like Indians…He simply held them in low regard. He believed Indians, with only a few exceptions were ignorant, lazy, superstitious and irresponsible.” Not racist more prejudiced-moccasin incident.

Section Five: pages Impressions of each of the Hayden men: Wesley, Frank & Julian. Consider appearance, presence, actions, relations between the three of them. How might you sum each of them up? Wesley: David’s father, married to Gail, brother of Frank Mercer County sheriff Mentally/emotionally crippled- how? Honest Scared of his father, Julian Has a bad leg Was a lawyer Summary: Controlled life Honest being dependable

Frank: David’s uncle, married to Gloria, brother to Wesley War hero Julian’s favourite Town/count doctor Leading member of community Has no children First impression: a likeable character Murderer and rapist Dark, wavy hair, well built, athletic, charming Summary: Outside- brilliant, likeable Inside- disgusting vermin Julian: David’s grandfather, Wesley and Frank’s father Powerful, cruel and aggressive A large landowner Sheriff before Wesley Prone to corruption Drinks and smokes Racist Summary: Overpowering control freak Lives for power and dominance

Section Six: pages Why might David say, “After what had just….Uncle Frank.” (p.41) How we know that Frank is lying. “They’re used to being treated…evil spirits or something.” (p.42) Irony: Explain what is ironic in Frank’s statement, “They’re not going to make it…old ways.” (p.42) David’s transition from childhood innocence to adult awareness. He no longer trusts his uncle ? Marie doesn’t make it as a result of Frank, the doctor “If I had gone back into the house-to the kitchen, to my room, out the back door, if I had left the porch and followed Frank’s steps down the front walk-I would never have heard the conversation between my mother and father, and perhaps I would have lived my life with an illusion about my family and perhaps even the human community.

Section Seven: pages How much substance is given to Marie’s allegations against Frank? David’s regard for his father & awareness of adult relationships. They begin investigating her claims discreetly. Initially they talk to Daisy and Len and begin to see that people know about Frank’s behaviour: “The word is he doesn’t do everything on the up and up.” David begins to understand that adult relationships are complex: “ She saw him now as she hadn’t before. He was not only her husband, he was a brother, and brother to a man who used his profession to take advantage of women, brother to a pervert! And how did I know these were my mother’s thoughts? I knew because they were mine.”

Wesley Hayden’s moral dilemma Caught between being the sheriff and his family especially his father.