Montana 1948 is a 1993 novella by Larry Watson. The novella focuses on the life of young Montanan David Hayden, his family and the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana, and focuses on the struggles of a family torn between loyalty and justice. It was awarded the Milkweed National Fiction Prize.

What happened Montana 1948?

Montana 1948 is a 1993 novella by Larry Watson. The novella focuses on the life of young Montanan David Hayden, his family and the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana, and focuses on the struggles of a family torn between loyalty and justice. It was awarded the Milkweed National Fiction Prize.

How is Montana loyalty 1948?

Montana 1948 explores different kinds of familial loyalty, and what happens when these loyalties pull people in different, even opposite, directions. Wesley Hayden has a duty to his brother, but also to Marie Little Soldier, who cares for David and is described as being “like family” several times in the novel.

How is the harsh life demonstrated in Montana 1948?

How does the narrator demonstrate the “harsh life” of Montana? He demonstrates the struggles people have with surviving in a dry, empty and unstable town. Was Mercer county a dangerous place to be sheriff? No, not many crimes took place.

What is the most important theme in Montana 1948?

• Prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power. Another key theme is prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power. …
• Law vs Justice. One of the central themes of ‘Montana 1948’ is the conflict between abiding by the law and doing what is just. …
• Loyalty vs Morality.

Where did David and his family move to Montana 1948?

In December of 1948 David’s family moves away from Bentrock. Frank’s death has been explained away as an accident, and the coroner (the only other person who saw Frank’s injuries) has kept the Hayden’s secret.

How old is David Hayden?

David Ephraim HaydenDiedMarch 18, 1974 (aged 76)Place of burialArlington National Cemetery, Section 36AllegianceUnited States of AmericaService/branchUnited States Navy

What did David see afternoon Marie died?

David finally reveals to his parents that he’d seen Uncle Frank enter the house the afternoon Marie died. David notes this prompts a sharp change in his father—who cannot be a father in this moment—he must be the sheriff; he must be Frank’s brother.

Who abused power in Montana 1948?

Specifically, in the fictional novel Montana 1948, the Hayden family has all the power in their small town, and Frank Hayden abuses his power and rapes young women. One brother, Wes, is the sheriff and the other brother, Frank, is the doctor.

What is Wesley's dilemma in Montana 1948?

Wesley, it is revealed, is torn between two loyalties. His father wants him to keep the Hayden name in office, but his wife (ostensibly for his sake) wishes he could move away from Grandpa Hayden, so that he no longer felt the pressure of his name. Grandpa’s corruption is also hinted at in this section.

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Is justice served in Montana 1948?

Both Reginal Rose and Larry Watson shows the importance of achieving justice in their stories. However, what they achieved is different; justice was attained in 12 angry men, while it doesn’t in Montana 1948.

How did David feel about Marie?

At 12, he believes he is in love with his caretaker, Marie Little Soldier, but when he is older he recognizes that this love was chaste and innocent, though still very real.

Is Montana 1948 a true story?

Q: Is MONTANA 1948 a true story or based on actual events? LW: No, the plot and characters in MONTANA 1948 are fictional. … Q: In MONTANA 1948, JUSTICE, and WHITE CROSSES you use the same location–Mercer County and the town of Bentrock, Montana.

What was Wesley Hayden's profession?

Experienced writer and communications professional with a demonstrated history of working in various industries.

Who is Ronnie tall bear?

Ronnie is Marie Little Soldier’s boyfriend. He is an all-star athlete, but is not accepted to any universities because of his race. He eventually enters the military.

Is there a Montana 1948 movie?

“’Montana 1948′ is a wonderful story that needs to be told, and we’re excited to be producing this film through all phases of its development, production and eventual release.” THE ENSEMBLE CAST of “Cold Mountain” continues to grow.

Who is the narrator in Montana 1948?

During the summer of 1948, a solid, middle-class family in a small Montana town is wrenched apart by scandal, murder and suicide. Narrator David Hayden tells the story as an adult looking back at the traumatic events that scarred yet matured him when he was 12.

What important information does Daisy share with Gail?

What does Daisy tell Gail? David hears Daisy telling his mother that there are rumors that he doesn’t “do everything on the up and up.” What precaution does Wesley take about the Frank news? Spreading it around town with no proof.

What are the themes of Montana 1948?

Montana 1948 explores different kinds of familial loyalty, and what happens when these loyalties pull people in different, even opposite, directions. Wesley Hayden has a duty to his brother, but also to Marie Little Soldier, who cares for David and is described as being “like family” several times in the novel.

Why does David think that what happens to Frank will solve all of the family's problems Montana 1948?

David is glad for an excuse to leave the basement, and as he does, he thinks Frank’s suicide has solved all of his family’s problems—that Frank’s death means everything can go back to normal. His family can reunite, and women will no longer need to fear their doctor.

Who is Marie Little Soldier?

Marie is a vibrant Sioux woman with a great sense of humor whom David loves deeply. The Haydens consider her a member of their family, yet she sleeps in a servant’s room off the kitchen even though there is a free bedroom upstairs. She falls ill with pneumonia, but refuses to see a doctor.

Who is Julian Hayden?

Grandpa Hayden is a bigoted and potentially violent man who favors his son Frank over his other son Wesley. He is a very powerful man in Mercer County, and Grandpa Julian’s influence is one of the main reasons Wesley believes Frank will never be convicted of his crimes. …

What is the Fort Warren Indian reservation?

The setting includes the “Fort Warren Indian Reservation” which is not a real place. It is described as “the rockiest, sandiest, least arable parcel of land in the region.” And, “its roads were unpaved, and many of its shacks looked as though they would barely hold back a breeze.” The town, Bentrock, is also fictional.

Who is David's mother's doctor in Montana 1948?

Gail Hayden is David’s mother, whose moral clarity and courage help bring Frank to justice. Marie Little Soldier is David’s beloved caretaker, who tragically dies at the hands of Frank. Frank Hayden is David’s uncle and the town doctor, who has a history of abusing Native American women.

What is Marie's job in the Hayden House?

She works as a live-in housekeeper for Wesley Hayden, sheriff of Bentrock, and Gail, his wife. Marie takes care of the Hayden’s only child, David, and he loved her with the chaste, adoring love of a pre-pubescent boy.

What did Wesley do Montana 1948?

David’s father and the elected Sheriff of Mercer County. Wesley has always felt inferior to his older brother Frank, who is a doctor and hero of WWII. Wesley has an injured leg (from a horse kick in his youth) that causes him to walk with a limp, and prevented him from serving in the military.

What are Wes beliefs?

John Wesley’s primary focus was upon the doctrine of salvation and the relationship between grace, faith, and holiness of heart and life. … Departing from the Reformers, however, Wesley rejected their notions of election, predestination, irresistible grace and the like as matters of opinion.

Who is Gail in Montana?

Gail is an opinionated, idealistic woman who fights for Marie Little Soldier in spite of the fact that her alleged abuser, Frank Hayden, is a hero of the community. Unlike her husband, Gail does not harbor obvious prejudices against Native Americans, and is the first to believe Marie’s story and advocate for justice.

What kind of person is Wesley Hayden?

In essence, Larry Watson challenges the tough masculine stereotype of the American West through Wesley who is a crippled, Montanan sheriff. Through this, we see that Wesley is depicted as a physically weak man; however, his physical strength is overpowered by his morals and beliefs. …read more.