Montana 1948 -Larry Watson Question: Montana 1948 shows that when the truth is not told people and communities suffer. Discuss
The story is told through the eyes of David Hayden in which we see events that clearly explain that when the truth is not told people and communities suffer. Racial prejudice, loyalty, law and justice are all factors that contribute to the emotional sufferings of the Sioux women, David's family and the Hayden name in the small town of Bentrock. In Montana 1948 we learn why and how they suffered and the outcome severity of the crimes that were committed by Frank Hayden.
Frank Hayden; son to Julian Hayden, brother to Wes and Uncle to David had committed a crime that had not yet been revealed and the Sioux women were being treated unfairly because of it. They were being sexually abused and discriminated against and no one but the women themselves were aware of it or for that matter believed in it because, "They were Indians, why would they tell the truth?" The women were emotionally traumatised; they felt cheated, humiliated, like second citizens of no value, they were simply just 'red meat'. Marie Little Soldier, adored and respected by David, was murdered. All because she began to expose Frank's dirty little secrets. Although Frank's death put a stop to the molestation, the damage to the Sioux women could not be undone, it would be with them forever.
David and his family also suffered from the immoral activity and the subsequent legal proceedings pursued against Frank. There were disagreements between Wes and his wife Gail on whether Wes should investigate and prosecute his own brother. Wes wanted to stay loyal to his family and was reluctant to prosecute whilst Gail was more for doing the right thing, " That's not the way it works, sins-crimes are not supposed to go unpunished". For their son David, witnessing these events at a tender age of 12, tore him apart. His exposure to the traumatic episodes may have pressured him into comprehending unsavoury behaviour and deprived him of certainty. Events that troubled David into this fast maturing process were the
Frank Hayden; son to Julian Hayden, brother to Wes and Uncle to David had committed a crime that had not yet been revealed and the Sioux women were being treated unfairly because of it. They were being sexually abused and discriminated against and no one but the women themselves were aware of it or for that matter believed in it because, "They were Indians, why would they tell the truth?" The women were emotionally traumatised; they felt cheated, humiliated, like second citizens of no value, they were simply just 'red meat'. Marie Little Soldier, adored and respected by David, was murdered. All because she began to expose Frank's dirty little secrets. Although Frank's death put a stop to the molestation, the damage to the Sioux women could not be undone, it would be with them forever.
David and his family also suffered from the immoral activity and the subsequent legal proceedings pursued against Frank. There were disagreements between Wes and his wife Gail on whether Wes should investigate and prosecute his own brother. Wes wanted to stay loyal to his family and was reluctant to prosecute whilst Gail was more for doing the right thing, " That's not the way it works, sins-crimes are not supposed to go unpunished". For their son David, witnessing these events at a tender age of 12, tore him apart. His exposure to the traumatic episodes may have pressured him into comprehending unsavoury behaviour and deprived him of certainty. Events that troubled David into this fast maturing process were the