Montana 1948

MONTANA 1948 One of the most important things in life is a family and the love and support that are shown. As a result from a loving family, a strong bond is born and it is very hard to kill. But within life, every person must obey and follow rules in a community, too. Protecting a relationship and a reputation of a family member is expected within the family, but there is a fine line when one can no longer do that based upon rules to protect the community. But how does one know when to draw the line when making the decision between his or her own family and protecting people within the community? No matter what decision is made, the opposing decision will always suffer. This is the basic theme of Larry Watson's novel Montana 1948. First of all, David Hayden is a twelve year old boy that lives in Mercer County in Bentrock, Montana. He lives with his mother, Gail, and his father, Wesley. His father is a well liked and highly respected sheriff in the county who had been serving his second term as sheriff in the summer of 1948 in Montana. Bentrock was a small, peaceful town with a population less than 1,000 people, which, as a result, lead to a somewhat boring job as the country sheriff. ...my father's job was a relatively easy one.
Oh, he arrested the usual weekly drunks, mediated an occasional dispute about fence lines or stray cattle,...warned the town's teenagers about getting rowdy..., but...being sheriff of Mercer County did not require great strength or courage...One of my father's regular duties was chaperoning Saturday night dances in the country, but...he often took along my mother (and sometimes me) shows how quiet those affairs--and his job--usually were. (5)
This shows how laid back and relaxed the town is and being the Mercer County sheriff wasn't exactly the most dangerous job. Having the last name Hayden was an honor in Bentrock because the Hayden family was very well known and respected. Having the job as the county sheriff