authorial intent - Montana 1948
Discuss the themes and authorial intent of Larry Watson in writing Montana 1948
In the novel, Montana 1948, written by Larry Watson, a story of a young boy named David and the events of a cataclysmic summer holidays are recounted. Set in the heart of North America in the 19th century, when Native Americans were considered B class citizens and persecution was inevitable ever since the Europeans first arrived on the continent. David matures in a short span throughout the text from naivety to maturity as a result of the series of horrendous events he experiences. The murder and sexual assault of Marie Little Soldier evokes a case in which Wes, David’s father and sheriff of the county must re-moralise his choices as his brother Frank is to blame. The obligation to justice is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel in addition to abuse of power, loyalty, and, morality. The Hayden family encompassing David’s grandfather Julian, Julian’s son Frank, and Wes, all carry extreme power in the community of Bentrock; with this power they have freewill almost. Watson uses the characters, themes and events as dolls to portray to the audience his authorial intent.
A significant theme in Montana 1948 is morality which is linked in with loyalty also. Wes, David’s father has important choices to make between loyalty to his brother, loyalty to his wife, loyalty to an employee of the family and loyalty to the justice system. ‘Are you telling me this because I’m Frank’s brother? Because I’m your husband? Because I’m Marie’s employer... Or because I’m the sheriff?’ These four sides Wes looks upon to take are the moral dilemma. If he stays loyal to his brother, his family, he is doing the morally correct thing. However if he puts his brother in jail for committing the awful crimes he did that is also the moral thing to do. Throughout this novel Wes seriously changes his attitude towards the crime and his brother, from once stating that he will not do anything to ‘arrange’ Frank’s
In the novel, Montana 1948, written by Larry Watson, a story of a young boy named David and the events of a cataclysmic summer holidays are recounted. Set in the heart of North America in the 19th century, when Native Americans were considered B class citizens and persecution was inevitable ever since the Europeans first arrived on the continent. David matures in a short span throughout the text from naivety to maturity as a result of the series of horrendous events he experiences. The murder and sexual assault of Marie Little Soldier evokes a case in which Wes, David’s father and sheriff of the county must re-moralise his choices as his brother Frank is to blame. The obligation to justice is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel in addition to abuse of power, loyalty, and, morality. The Hayden family encompassing David’s grandfather Julian, Julian’s son Frank, and Wes, all carry extreme power in the community of Bentrock; with this power they have freewill almost. Watson uses the characters, themes and events as dolls to portray to the audience his authorial intent.
A significant theme in Montana 1948 is morality which is linked in with loyalty also. Wes, David’s father has important choices to make between loyalty to his brother, loyalty to his wife, loyalty to an employee of the family and loyalty to the justice system. ‘Are you telling me this because I’m Frank’s brother? Because I’m your husband? Because I’m Marie’s employer... Or because I’m the sheriff?’ These four sides Wes looks upon to take are the moral dilemma. If he stays loyal to his brother, his family, he is doing the morally correct thing. However if he puts his brother in jail for committing the awful crimes he did that is also the moral thing to do. Throughout this novel Wes seriously changes his attitude towards the crime and his brother, from once stating that he will not do anything to ‘arrange’ Frank’s