Montana 1948 Essay Example
‘The events of the summer of 1948 in Bentrock force David to reverse his attitude to his parents.’ Do you agree?
During the summer of 1948 David was forced to revise his opinion of his father as a man and sheriff as a result of the events that transpired. David’s opinion of his mother was never really negative so was not affected by those events.
David saw his Father, Wes, as a disappointment and a letdown, especially when compared to his Uncle Frank. Frank was a war hero, an exceptional athlete and David’s role model. Throughout Wes’ life he was overshadowed by his brother’s successes. David had such a low opinion of his father that when comparisons were made between the brothers; David states that his father was bound to suffer.
Wes did not fit into David’s idea of a sheriff, he did not carry a gun or badge, the gun he owned was unsuitable and the clothing he wore did not fit the role – he looked more like a townsman than a sheriff. This disappointed him at the time. David even states that being “sheriff of Mercer County did not require great strength or courage”. Demonstrating how little he thought of his father.
Wes believed in proof, in evidence, and he held off on his own convictions until he had sufficient evidence to support them; however the events of 1948 in Bentrock saw him struggling with a very difficult decision between loyalty to justice or loyalty to his brother and family. This forced Wes to change as a person to meet the difficult situation. Wes began to stand up to what he believed was right, standing up to his brother Frank and also his own Father. Wes was strong enough to lock his own brother away in his basement and was going to take him across the street to the jail. Wes did not give in to his father’s plea, showing strength and courage in his beliefs. David saw a change in Wes and began to reverse his attitude towards his father, gaining more respect as his father became a stronger figure by not compromising his morals.
At the end
During the summer of 1948 David was forced to revise his opinion of his father as a man and sheriff as a result of the events that transpired. David’s opinion of his mother was never really negative so was not affected by those events.
David saw his Father, Wes, as a disappointment and a letdown, especially when compared to his Uncle Frank. Frank was a war hero, an exceptional athlete and David’s role model. Throughout Wes’ life he was overshadowed by his brother’s successes. David had such a low opinion of his father that when comparisons were made between the brothers; David states that his father was bound to suffer.
Wes did not fit into David’s idea of a sheriff, he did not carry a gun or badge, the gun he owned was unsuitable and the clothing he wore did not fit the role – he looked more like a townsman than a sheriff. This disappointed him at the time. David even states that being “sheriff of Mercer County did not require great strength or courage”. Demonstrating how little he thought of his father.
Wes believed in proof, in evidence, and he held off on his own convictions until he had sufficient evidence to support them; however the events of 1948 in Bentrock saw him struggling with a very difficult decision between loyalty to justice or loyalty to his brother and family. This forced Wes to change as a person to meet the difficult situation. Wes began to stand up to what he believed was right, standing up to his brother Frank and also his own Father. Wes was strong enough to lock his own brother away in his basement and was going to take him across the street to the jail. Wes did not give in to his father’s plea, showing strength and courage in his beliefs. David saw a change in Wes and began to reverse his attitude towards his father, gaining more respect as his father became a stronger figure by not compromising his morals.
At the end