How Is Montana 1948 A Corrupt Society

A Powerful Family and A Corruptive Society The Novel Montana 1948 tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy David, who witnesses a family tragedy involving murder, sexual assault, and racism during the summer of 1948. David’s uncle Frank, who is popular and well-known doctor in Bentrock, kills a native ameriacan girl Marie. In order to cover up Frank’s crime, David’s father, Wesley, is pressured by his own father Julian, the justice system, and the desire to uphold the family name. While Wesley works hard collecting evidence against his brother Frank, Frank chooses to die rather than to face his guilt. Given too much power, the Hayden family is blind to the laws and tends to manipulate society. Thus, in order to preserve the reputaion of

For him, the purpose of obtaining power is not to the benefit the townspeople but rather to gain domination in the society without practicing any laws. He shows his willingness to control others’ behaviors. In the book it is clear that Juilan “ wanted [and]... needed power”（8) to make himself superior to others and display his disdain and prejudice toward the Native Americans. Although Julian clearly knew that “some young [Indians] out on the reservation [looked] ... like [Frank]”(63) ,as they were his children, when he was in power, he ignored the evidence against Frank’s charge. Not only does he disregard the many Native American victims who are sexualy abused by his son, he also speaks with contempt of the Indian girls, saying it is meaningless to accuse someone who takes advantage Native Americans. Because the Hayden family covered up the crime, Native Americans continuously suffer in this corrupt society. Therefore, the lack of proper justice and ethical value endangers the existence of laws and destabilizes society by letting culprits perform more crime and creating insecurity among

The entire town of Bentrock tolerates the misconduct the too are responsible for the corruption of society. For this reason, it is understandable that Wesley would remain silent without taking action, instead of proving Frank’s crime and charging him with murder. Furthermore when Wesley finaly changes his mind, he actually puts his family in danger. Gail, Wesley’s wife becomes tired of the unstable living circumstances, and admits “at least I know I can shout the things now...let him go...I just want my house back. I want my family safe” (137). Is it really worth sacrificing a family’s reputaiton for social justice? It is apparent that David and his mother Gail are both innocent people despite Frank's crimes, but since they share Frank’s last name “Hayden”, it is inevitable for them to be scandalized by Frank’s