Although Montana is a dry, sparse, mundane state the events that took place the summer of 1948 changed the course of history for the Hayden family. In the novel Montana 1948 written by Larry Watson the Hayden family goes through some genuine struggles. They try to resemble the perfect ideal family in the eyes of the public due to the fact that their name represents the law in Mercer County. Unfortunately, behind closed doors, they are falling apart. "From the summer of my twelfth year I carry a series of images more vivid and lasting than any other of my boyhood and indelible beyond all attempts the years make to erase or fade them...."(pg.11). These events that had taken place had affected a virtuous child and he ended up witnessing the world
…show more content…
Marie was sick but did not want the doctor who was known for molesting Native American women to care for her, but Wesley has Frank come over to attended to her anyway. Frank states she has Pneumonia, but the family is skeptical of Frank and whether he is speaking the truth. On Monday, August 13, 1948 Marie was pronounced dead and that day David witnesses something that alters his view upon his Uncle once again. David does not say anything about what he saw until one day he felt guilty and stated to his parents, "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. Then I got out and watched him go down the tracks. He was going towards town. I'm pretty sure it was him"(pg.97). David was concerned about saying anything because he was afraid to admit not only to his parents, but to himself that his Uncle Frank was ultimately responsible for Maries death. It also showed David that you cannot trust everyone, even when it comes to family, and that some people will not take responsibility for their actions and will try to outsmart the law. Deep down David knew that his Uncle was guilty, and he thought he would not get in trouble because Wesley is sheriff …show more content…
Wesley had to decide between the law (his job) or his brother and the family name. He ends up choosing the law, but that lead to a series of events that showed David once again the world is iniquitous. After the accusation of murder arose Wesley decided to lock Frank into the basement of the house Wesley and his family lived. Doing this had angered Julian and he had sent some of his men to break Frank out but was unsuccessful. Then one-night things got intense and Frank had broken into the pantry in the basement and started smashing canning jars. Wesley believed that he was just doing it for attention, so he would go downstairs, and he told his family he would check on him when he is quiet. That morning no sounds of breaking jars flowed through the air, so Wesley got up and made him and Frank both a cup of coffee before putting him behind bars. Unfortunately, David heard his father yell from the bottom of the basement stairs and state, "Oh, no! Oh my God, no!" (pg.159). When David heard this, he rushed down the stairs and witnessed Wesley in the laundry room, "My father was on the floor of the root cellar, and when I first saw the blood swirled like oil through the other liquids, I thought he had cut his feet on the broken glass that was everywhere. But I thought that only for an instant, for the split second before I saw the blood's real
Marie was sick but did not want the doctor who was known for molesting Native American women to care for her, but Wesley has Frank come over to attended to her anyway. Frank states she has Pneumonia, but the family is skeptical of Frank and whether he is speaking the truth. On Monday, August 13, 1948 Marie was pronounced dead and that day David witnesses something that alters his view upon his Uncle once again. David does not say anything about what he saw until one day he felt guilty and stated to his parents, "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. Then I got out and watched him go down the tracks. He was going towards town. I'm pretty sure it was him"(pg.97). David was concerned about saying anything because he was afraid to admit not only to his parents, but to himself that his Uncle Frank was ultimately responsible for Maries death. It also showed David that you cannot trust everyone, even when it comes to family, and that some people will not take responsibility for their actions and will try to outsmart the law. Deep down David knew that his Uncle was guilty, and he thought he would not get in trouble because Wesley is sheriff …show more content…
Wesley had to decide between the law (his job) or his brother and the family name. He ends up choosing the law, but that lead to a series of events that showed David once again the world is iniquitous. After the accusation of murder arose Wesley decided to lock Frank into the basement of the house Wesley and his family lived. Doing this had angered Julian and he had sent some of his men to break Frank out but was unsuccessful. Then one-night things got intense and Frank had broken into the pantry in the basement and started smashing canning jars. Wesley believed that he was just doing it for attention, so he would go downstairs, and he told his family he would check on him when he is quiet. That morning no sounds of breaking jars flowed through the air, so Wesley got up and made him and Frank both a cup of coffee before putting him behind bars. Unfortunately, David heard his father yell from the bottom of the basement stairs and state, "Oh, no! Oh my God, no!" (pg.159). When David heard this, he rushed down the stairs and witnessed Wesley in the laundry room, "My father was on the floor of the root cellar, and when I first saw the blood swirled like oil through the other liquids, I thought he had cut his feet on the broken glass that was everywhere. But I thought that only for an instant, for the split second before I saw the blood's real