Is Wes Hayden a weak man? Discuss. Wes Hayden is a complex character, this is highlighted from the very compelling prologue in Watson’s novel when we read of David’s father “kneel[ing] on the kitchen floor begging my mother to help him.” This snippet of role reversal fascinates the reader but it also smacks of a man who is flawed and uncertain in what important decision he should make. Wesley Hayden a man who has been controlled his entire life by his father, Julian. Julian, who was a previous Sheriff of Bentrock County, is a strong and dominant man. Wesley inherits the role of sheriff and “It would never occurred to my father to refuse”. Such is the strong influence of Wes’ father and the heavy weight of responsibility that is the Hayden name. Julian is a puppeteer who installed Wes as sheriff in order to maintain his power in the community and in doing remains a sheriff by proxy. Gail the wife of Wesley sees him as more of a potential lawyer, but not a Lawman. She is fearful of the Hayden name and the sway that it has over her husband. Consequently, it is difficult for Wes to make his own decisions. At first, Wes is reluctant to take action against his brother Frank for the sexual crimes committed against Indian Women around Mercer County, “It can’t be undone”. Instead it’s Gail who confronts and persuades Wes to take action, “What about the…damage…[that’s] already been done?” As a young boy David saw his father as more of a weak man than a stronger one. David was disappointed by his father who would not carry a six shooter like more traditional Sheriff’s. He never dressed as an official Sheriff instead preferring to wear “…boots and Stetsons; my father wore brogans and a fedora”, against the traditional stereotype of Western Cowboy. When David discovers that his idol Uncle Frank was raping Indian women, including Marie Little Soldier, who he adored and loved, David expects his father to take action. At first, Wes investigates the accusations, gains information and even talks to Frank himself, but then decides to stop his investigation assuring us that “Frank said he’s going to cut it out” and that “…he’ll have to meet his punishment in the here after. I won’t do anything to arrange in this life.” At this point in the novel Wes is not a strong enough character to prosecute his brother, preferring to let him go free. However, despite these flaws Wes has developed into a strong character. He continues on his investigation toward prosecuting his brother Frank and now changes his attitude when he remarks, “I can’t let him loose. Not and live with myself.” After David admits to witnessing his Uncle Frank leaving the house via the backyard on the day of Marie’s death, Wes sees his brother as guiltier than ever. More importantly it demonstrates how Wes is more willing to place his trust in his 12 year old son and no longer his very own adult brother. As a result, Wes takes decisive action by placing his brother under house arrest, “my brother your uncle has run a foul of the law. I had to arrest him.” By locking Frank up in his basement, Wes believes he can save the reputation of the Hayden family name while also protecting Frank’s integrity. So decisive is his action it forces the hand of his father, Julian, who sends a posse to break his favourite son out of the basement. This highlights how difficult it is for Wes to make a decision without threatening to cause massive family upheavals. On one hand he is a dutiful Sheriff but this runs in direct conflict to him being a dutiful son and brother as well. We don’t envy the decision he has to make. It’s very difficult to judge Wes in that he has changed with the responsibility of bringing his very own blood brother to justice. In doing so he is threatening to bring down the entire Hayden name. As it turns out, Wes’ decision to place his brother under house arrest leads to Frank’s tragic suicide. An event that whilst bringing some much needed closure also destroys Wes in that it opens up an unbridgeable chasm between his very own father and himself. We cannot judge Wes, instead Wes judges himself as he carries the burden of his brothers death for life until that very guilt, in the form of cancer, hollows Wes out until he dies a premature death.