Montana 1948 By Larry Watson

During the catastrophic events of Montana 1948, David Hayden begins to learn that not even the concrete bonds of the Hayden family can stand to justice. Through the sinful actions of Uncle Frank, David’s simple, blissful environment he once had begins to dissolve, only to reveal the unpleasant, but true imperfect world. An ambivalent David strains to understand how polar concepts like heroism can coexist with wickedness within one individual. Author Larry Watson cleverly peppers the five sensory systems throughout the story, embellishing each scene with lucidity, through David’s perception. Slowly, the miniscule cracks concealed in David’s family bonds grow, to the point where an evident chasm divided the Hayden family from, “what we were from

When housekeeper and babysitter of David, Marie Little Soldier, falls ill, David’s parents privately discuss Uncle Frank’s treatment to patients. Much to David’s curiosity, he eavesdrops in the conversation, hearing, “Wesley, your brother is raping these women. These girls. These Indian girls” (Watson 36). Not only is David shocked to hear such words from his mother, but also these statements were directed to his Uncle Frank, the same man who he praised. Shortly after the arrest of Frank, David listens into the acrimonious dispute his father has with his grandfather. Out of disbelief and anger at his son, Grandfather Hayden shouts, “Is this why I gave you that goddamn badge? So you could arrest your own brother?” (Watson 112). Hearing the booming voice from below, it becomes evident of the growing tension between not only the Hayden brothers, but now has extended to their

Subsequently after the death of Marie, David explains to his parents about something he spotted while with his friends. Although first defiant, David relays to his parents, saying “While I was sitting there I saw someone cutting across our backyard. There’s a knothole you can see out of. I was pretty sure it was Uncle Frank”(Watson 89). It is this moment where Uncle Frank’s credibility comes into question. In the When David finds his mother holding a shotgun in the kitchen, he is filled with feelings of affection and fear. David reflects, saying “ The sight of my mother loading that shotgun was frightening--yes--but also oddly touching. She was so clumsy, so obviously unsuited for what she was doing that it reminded me of what she looked like when she once put on a baseball glove and tried to play catch with me” (Watson 127). Singlehandedly, Grandfather Hayden’s act of assertiveness has forcefully associated the caring personality of David’s mother and the frightening image of a