Cambridge VCE English Units 1&2
Essay 4
To what degree are the main characters in ‘Montana 1948’ responsible for their
own behaviour?
The main characters in Larry Watson’s Montana 1948 are truly able to control their
own behaviour, but only to a certain extent. It could be argued the novel is not as
simple as this. Within the text there are external factors contributing to the behaviour
of the main characters that need to be explored.
Montana 1948 is narrated by the now adult David Hayden as he recounts the
summer of 1948. Through David’s narration a reader is able to gain a sense of the
depth of analysis included within the novel. The adolescent David leaves his
childhood behind when he realises his Uncle Frank has abused his position of trust as
a doctor. However at the same time David continually contrasts this knowledge with
his emotional responses towards his uncle. Frank is his father’s brother, and in this
role has represented an important source of family, strength, love and care throughout
David’s childhood. Therefore a reader gains a deep sense of conflict within the
narrative; a conflict between David’s maturing social awareness, and the secure
memories and feelings left from his childhood. Watson presents the character David
as one with conflicting thoughts and feelings, which compete and govern his actions
throughout the novel.
Wes Hayden, David’s father and the ‘hero’ of the text, is a character who is
described in the novel as one who does not like to feel the earth shifting beneath him.
He, like his brother Frank, has a specific position of duty and trust to uphold in his
community. As is shown constantly throughout the text this sense of duty is one he
takes seriously. However Wes also has strong ties of loyalty to his own father, Julian,
and brother. Frank’s actions place Wes in a complicated position that compromises
both his role as the county sheriff and his roles as a brother and son. Therefore while
Wes himself has complete autonomy over his actions, it is obvious that the decision
over what course of action he should ultimately take has grave emotional
consequences.
Wes’ wife Gail Hayden, a strong female character given the setting of the
novel, is at first adamant that Frank be brought to justice for his actions. However this
need for a greater social justice disappears when the workers from Julian’s farm arrive
to collect Frank and Gail realises the full extent of the danger to her family. It could
be argued that Gail succumbs to the pressure placed on her by her husband’s family,
however it is also obvious that she too places great emphasis on loyalty to, and the
protection of, her own family. In contrast to the actions taken by Julian, Gail’s actions
and decisions are bound by a need to protect rather than to control.
It can be convincingly argued that Frank callously takes advantage of his
position of trust as a doctor and as an influential, powerful white male when he
sexually abuses his female Amerindian patients. However there are surrounding
influences that, although never justifying or excusing Frank of his liability, determine
the degree of control he has over his actions. Julian is the archetypal patriarchal
figure, a man who likes to controls. He has always condoned Frank’s taste for ‘red
meat’, going so far as to publicly comment that hopefully Frank’s marriage would see
an end to his visits to the Indian reservation. Therefore we can see that Frank has been
© Andrea Hayes 2006
Cambridge University Press
1
Cambridge VCE English Units 1&2
raised in an environment that has overlooked his flaws and ultimately allowed his
behaviour. The childhood environments of Wes and Frank, although not detailed
within the text, provide a telling contrast to the childhood environment of David.
David learns the moral values of responsibility, maturity, protection and trust, whilst
Julian provided an environment of greed, power, jealousy and deceit for his sons.
Therefore it would seem that while Montana 1948, tells the story of David
Hayden’s transition to adolescence it also explores possible motivations and
explanations behind an individual’s actions. Larry Watson has constructed his main
characters so that although they have control over their actions, the factors
surrounding their decisions are ultimately conflicting and difficult.
690 words
© Andrea Hayes 2006
Cambridge University Press
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