“Growing up is losing some illusions in order to acquire others” -Virginia Woolf. Larry Watson is a renowned American author of novels, and other works of literature. He is from North Dakota and attended The University of North Dakota. Montana 1948, written by Larry Watson, is a novel that portrays a story of innocent young David, however. His innocence evolves into experience and guilt. David undergoes changes in an unfortunate, and difficult way. He changes his views on Uncle Frank, his father Wes, and his understanding of death. During the novel David’s relationships and views of his family drastically change. David originally looks up to Frank as a hero; however, he is forever changed by Frank’s actions. Towards the start of the book he is clueless to Franks behavior. David, a simple young boy tragically hears his parents conversing with Frank about molesting or raping vulnerable Indian women. “I was beginning to view my …show more content…
Towards the opening of the book David believes his father to be a lame sheriff who does not deal with any violence, hence why he does not own a gun. David believed that all his father did was deal with men under the influence at the bars. Wes is faced with a difficult choice he can turn in Frank, his brother, to the police and admit his crimes. The other door is Wes can ignore it and go on with his life and try to forget. Wes clarifies his opinion with the following, “David, I believe in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn’t matter who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that, I have to” (150). Wes is faced with the burden of explaining to his son David that he has to turn in his won Uncle because no matter who you are everyone has to pay for their actions. Wes’s choice arguably is the reason of Franks death which leads into the next change with David, his view on