What Is The Most Important Theme In Montana 1948?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power. Another key theme is prejudice, discrimination and the abuse of power. …
  • Law vs Justice. One of the central themes of ‘Montana 1948’ is the conflict between abiding by the law and doing what is just. …
  • Loyalty vs Morality.

Who is the moral center of Montana 1948?


Larry Watson

, in Montana 1948, presents a story of a family that tries to choose between saving their reputation and preserving morality.

What is the theme of Montana 1948?

The central conflict in Montana 1948 concerns the tensions and differences between the practice and enforcement of law and the more abstract notion of justice, and the realization that the law does not or cannot always provide justice.

Who abused power in Montana 1948?

Specifically, in the fictional novel Montana 1948, the Hayden family has all the power in their small town, and

Frank Hayden

abuses his power and rapes young women. One brother, Wes, is the sheriff and the other brother, Frank, is the doctor.

How is Montana loyalty 1948?

In the novel, Montana 1948,

Larry Watson reveals conflict between two necessary values loyalty and justice

which is exemplified throughout. Watson explores multiple characters who struggle with being loyal and doing what is right, which tugs characters in different, even opposite, directions.

Is Montana 1948 a true story?

Q: Is MONTANA 1948 a true story or based on actual events? LW:

No, the plot and characters in MONTANA 1948 are fictional

. … Q: In MONTANA 1948, JUSTICE, and WHITE CROSSES you use the same location–Mercer County and the town of Bentrock, Montana.

What does Montana 1948 say about justice?

The central theme in Montana 1948 is

whether to choose justice or family loyalty

. The central theme in Twelve Angry Men is the importance of a correct verdict that proves the justice system works. A common link between the two texts is prejudice that makes justice difficult to achieve.

What happened at the end of Montana 1948?


The novel ends with David sitting in his father’s seat at the table later that night—he believes he can still feel his father’s blow reverberating through the wood

. Winner, Kathryn. “Montana 1948 Plot Summary.” LitCharts.

Who is the narrator in Montana 1948?

During the summer of 1948, a solid, middle-class family in a small Montana town is wrenched apart by scandal, murder and suicide. Narrator

David Hayden

tells the story as an adult looking back at the traumatic events that scarred yet matured him when he was 12.

What is Wesley’s dilemma in Montana 1948?

Wesley, it is revealed, is torn between two loyalties.

His father wants him to keep the Hayden name in office

, but his wife (ostensibly for his sake) wishes he could move away from Grandpa Hayden, so that he no longer felt the pressure of his name.

What happened Montana 1948?

Montana 1948 is a 1993 novella by Larry Watson. The novella focuses on the life of young Montanan David Hayden, his family and the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana, and focuses on the

struggles of a family torn between loyalty and justice

. It was awarded the Milkweed National Fiction Prize.

What does family loyalty mean in Montana 1948?

Montana 1948 explores different kinds of familial loyalty, and what happens when these loyalties pull people in different, even opposite, directions. Wesley Hayden has a duty to his brother, but also to Marie Little Soldier, who cares for David and is described as being “like

family

” several times in the novel.

Who is Wes wife in Montana 1948?

Wesley’s father was also Sheriff, and though Wesley followed in Grandpa Hayden’s footsteps, he has always played second fiddle to his brother, who is by far the favorite son. Wesley graduated from law school, and his wife

Gail

insists he would be happier practicing law than being the sheriff.

What did Frank do to Marie Little Soldier?

He is a highly charismatic and handsome doctor and war hero and is greatly liked by many in the community. However, he

sexually abuses Native American women

who come to him seeking medical care. Marie Little Soldier discloses this information to Gail, and Frank (presumably) kills her in retribution.

Is justice achieved in Montana 1948?

Larry Watson’s Montana 1948, clearly proved that

justice is impossible to achieve when at the same time

trying to be loyal to family. As an example of Wes in Montana tries his best to serve justice as being a sheriff and be loyal to the ‘Hayden’ family.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.