Montana 1948 literary Analysis
In this project, we read Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. This was an interesting book and I learned a lot about analyzing literature closely. I also wrote a 5-paragraph literary analysis about Watson's subtle hints that the people in power are causing the racism in the United States.
Racism and the Rich White Man: America's Constants
Tony Williams
Racism is a constant theme in novels throughout American history. Countless authors take their own spin on the diverse causes and effects of this horrendous crime. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson is unique because it views the issue through the innocent eyes of David Hayden, a helpless young child who doesn't know why all of this is going on. This novel clearly portrays the problems with racism and the treatment of Native Americans as lesser humans. This is so clear in the book that many would argue that it is the overarching theme. However, although its obvious focus is directed against anti-Indian racism, Montana 1948 powerfully (though subtly) hints, through metaphor, that the problem lies in the corruption of the men in power.
Julian Hayden, or as David refers to him, "Grandfather", is the man in charge of the Hayden family. Watson uses him as a symbol for the wealthy 1% of Americans with a lot of money and power: "He wanted, he needed, power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others. To him, being the law's agent probably seemed part of a natural progression - first you master the land and its beasts, then you regulate the behavior of men and women" (8). Grandfather was also very wealthy: "The house was huge - two stories, five bedrooms, a dining room bigger than some restaurants, a stone fireplace that two children could stand in." Nobody else mentioned in the novel is wealthy, compounding the idea that he represents the 1%, both in terms of power and wealth. Watson criticizes the wealthy running the town, shown by Grandfather trying to prevent David's father, Wesley, from arresting David's uncle, Frank, for a crime which Frank clearly committed. The small town in Montana is a clever metaphor for all of America, and Grandfather serves as Watson's criticism of the racist men in power.
To represent white crimes against Native Americans, Watson uses Frank Hayden, David's uncle. Frank is a doctor and a respected military man, but it turns out that he was sexually assaulting his Indian patients. More importantly, Watson highlights how Grandfather and his men try to cover up Frank's crimes. Grandfather is incredulous when Wesley locks up frank for "assaulting a god-damn Indian" (110). He says that "You don't lock up your brother. A respected man" (112). Even Wesley's deputy sheriff, Len McAuley, says that what it means to be a sheriff is "...knowing when to look and when to look away" (84). Clearly, Grandfather and Len know about Frank's crimes against Indians, but they cover it up to keep Frank's reputation intact. By mentioning a cover-up, Watson hints that the United States government as a whole is corrupt, covering up its crimes under the false guise of "maintaining reputation".
True justice in America is represented by Wesley, the current sheriff, who insists on locking Frank up for the crimes that he has committed. Signs that he is not the one in power are present throughout the novel: "...he walked with a permanent limp" (4). "He had a gun but never carried it" (5). When Grandfather confronts Wesley about arresting Frank, David asks himself: "Why was my father just standing there, his hands hanging defenselessly at his sides?" (108). Even when Wesley makes the arrest, it never seems as if he is in control. He wants to do justice and stands by his decision, but Grandfather is the man in power and does his best to prevent Wesley from locking Frank up. If Frank hadn't committed suicide, Grandfather would most likely have been able to free him from jail using his power and influence. By giving Wesley a permanent limp and making him unarmed, Watson is trying to say that the ones who do justice are not the ones in power, but the ones who know right from wrong. Though these people, like Wesley, do their best to bring justice about, the system is controlled by the wrong people, those who want to cover it up and hide the terrible crimes done by the 'respectable' war hero.
Montana 1948 was written in 1993 and takes place in 1948, but its themes are still prevalent in today's society. Racism against Native Americans still exists in many forms; Natives are given reservations to live on, but only on land that white Americans don't want to live in. They can go to college for free, but this is little consolation given the great injustices of the past. Similarly, corrupt rich white men are still in power in the United States. Just like in Montana 1948, they cover up crimes done by their 'favorite sons'. For example, the government does all it can to keep the NSA's spying a secret. Just like in 1948, the people in power are not friends of justice. For me, this is Watson's main message, even more than racism.
Sources
Watson, Larry. Montana 1948. Paris: Gallmeister, 2010.
Tony Williams
Racism is a constant theme in novels throughout American history. Countless authors take their own spin on the diverse causes and effects of this horrendous crime. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson is unique because it views the issue through the innocent eyes of David Hayden, a helpless young child who doesn't know why all of this is going on. This novel clearly portrays the problems with racism and the treatment of Native Americans as lesser humans. This is so clear in the book that many would argue that it is the overarching theme. However, although its obvious focus is directed against anti-Indian racism, Montana 1948 powerfully (though subtly) hints, through metaphor, that the problem lies in the corruption of the men in power.
Julian Hayden, or as David refers to him, "Grandfather", is the man in charge of the Hayden family. Watson uses him as a symbol for the wealthy 1% of Americans with a lot of money and power: "He wanted, he needed, power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others. To him, being the law's agent probably seemed part of a natural progression - first you master the land and its beasts, then you regulate the behavior of men and women" (8). Grandfather was also very wealthy: "The house was huge - two stories, five bedrooms, a dining room bigger than some restaurants, a stone fireplace that two children could stand in." Nobody else mentioned in the novel is wealthy, compounding the idea that he represents the 1%, both in terms of power and wealth. Watson criticizes the wealthy running the town, shown by Grandfather trying to prevent David's father, Wesley, from arresting David's uncle, Frank, for a crime which Frank clearly committed. The small town in Montana is a clever metaphor for all of America, and Grandfather serves as Watson's criticism of the racist men in power.
To represent white crimes against Native Americans, Watson uses Frank Hayden, David's uncle. Frank is a doctor and a respected military man, but it turns out that he was sexually assaulting his Indian patients. More importantly, Watson highlights how Grandfather and his men try to cover up Frank's crimes. Grandfather is incredulous when Wesley locks up frank for "assaulting a god-damn Indian" (110). He says that "You don't lock up your brother. A respected man" (112). Even Wesley's deputy sheriff, Len McAuley, says that what it means to be a sheriff is "...knowing when to look and when to look away" (84). Clearly, Grandfather and Len know about Frank's crimes against Indians, but they cover it up to keep Frank's reputation intact. By mentioning a cover-up, Watson hints that the United States government as a whole is corrupt, covering up its crimes under the false guise of "maintaining reputation".
True justice in America is represented by Wesley, the current sheriff, who insists on locking Frank up for the crimes that he has committed. Signs that he is not the one in power are present throughout the novel: "...he walked with a permanent limp" (4). "He had a gun but never carried it" (5). When Grandfather confronts Wesley about arresting Frank, David asks himself: "Why was my father just standing there, his hands hanging defenselessly at his sides?" (108). Even when Wesley makes the arrest, it never seems as if he is in control. He wants to do justice and stands by his decision, but Grandfather is the man in power and does his best to prevent Wesley from locking Frank up. If Frank hadn't committed suicide, Grandfather would most likely have been able to free him from jail using his power and influence. By giving Wesley a permanent limp and making him unarmed, Watson is trying to say that the ones who do justice are not the ones in power, but the ones who know right from wrong. Though these people, like Wesley, do their best to bring justice about, the system is controlled by the wrong people, those who want to cover it up and hide the terrible crimes done by the 'respectable' war hero.
Montana 1948 was written in 1993 and takes place in 1948, but its themes are still prevalent in today's society. Racism against Native Americans still exists in many forms; Natives are given reservations to live on, but only on land that white Americans don't want to live in. They can go to college for free, but this is little consolation given the great injustices of the past. Similarly, corrupt rich white men are still in power in the United States. Just like in Montana 1948, they cover up crimes done by their 'favorite sons'. For example, the government does all it can to keep the NSA's spying a secret. Just like in 1948, the people in power are not friends of justice. For me, this is Watson's main message, even more than racism.
Sources
Watson, Larry. Montana 1948. Paris: Gallmeister, 2010.