Montana 1948 Part 1 Response

1. How does the narrator demonstrate the “harsh life” of Montana?

The narrator, David, is able to depict the harsh life of Montana through characterization and use
of a detailed first-person perspective, positioning readers to view Montanan life from a firsthand
POV. David describes the physical characteristics of the land to be “dry and sparse” “the wind
never stops blowing”, he also went on to describe the life this provided for its inhabitants as
“too hard”. “Your attention and energy went into keeping not only yourself but also your family,
your crops and your cattle alive”. David was also able to demonstrate these harsh living
conditions through his and other’s disjointed relationships and perception of others, such as his
father, Wesley, whom had a fragmented relationship with his own father. Volatile weather.

2. What kept the narrator’s father out of combat?

Broke his legs. Despite being the Mercer County Sheriff, it’s evident that he strayed away from
any forms of physical combat. This was due to his own personal morals and principles, it became
clear throughout Part 1 that his motives for being a sheriff were not necessarily for personal gain
but more so to upkeep his family’s reputation. Wesley had previously gone to law school and
David’s mother mentioned that she wanted him to find another occupation where it would
“allow my father to fully be himself”. He believed in justice, yet despite being a sheriff, he wasn’t
fulfilling his own ideals. In the text it states, “my father never wore his badge” which
metaphorically represents the weight of his conscience and beliefs of ‘justice’ he felt were not
being met. He strayed away from combat because he did not believe in it.

3. Was Mercer County a dangerous place to be Sherriff Explain.

In juxtaposition to other places, Mercer County didn’t appear to be a particularly dangerous
place to be a Sherriff. David described his father’s occupation, “Oh, he arrested the usual
weekly drunks, mediated on occasional dispute about fence lines or stray cattle, calmed a
few domestic disturbances..” implying his job was not as dangerous as one might believe.
“Being Sherriff of Mercer County did not require great strength or courage”, suggesting his
occupation was more so to maintain his family’s legacy and position on the hierarchy in
Montana.

4. Why was the narrator disappointed with his father as a boy?

The narrator was evidently disappointed with his father as a boy, as he felt his father’s
occupation as sheriff was not living up to the full potential of the job’s requirements and wasn’t
as ‘exciting’ as he had imagined. “As long as my father was going to be a sheriff, a position with
so much potential for excitement, danger and bravery, why couldn’t some of that promise be
fulfilled?”.

5. How did the Sherriff obtain his gun? Where did he keep it?
The Sherriff obtained his gun after confiscating it from a drunken transient and kept it in his
dresser at the top drawer on the right side. He never carried a gun, on duty or off.
6. How did the narrator’s grandfather get around the consecutive three term limit as sherriff?

David’s Grandfather, Julian Hayden, managed to get around the consecutive three term limit as
a sheriff. When his terms expired, his deputy, Len McAuley would serve a term. After Len’s term,
Julian would run again. During his ‘off’ time, he would return to his ranch.

7. How did his grandfather retain power even after retirement?

His grandfather managed to retain power provided by his position as sheriff, even after
retirement by turning the post over to Wesley, David’s father. Keeping this power and
strength over Mercer County in the family, thus maintaining the Hayden’s ‘reign’ and power
over the land.

8. What did the narrator’s mother fear for? Two answers

David’s mother feared for two things, David’s soul, civility and David’s father. As long as Wesley
was sheriff, he would not be his true self. David’s mother wanted Wesley “to be merely himself
and not a Hayden”. Subsequently, David’s mother was concerned about his values.

9. What was Marie Little Soldier’s job?

Marie was the family’s housekeeper who lived with them during the week.

10. How did the narrator feel about Marie? Example

According to the description provided by the text, David adored Marie, he “loved her”. They
seemed to have a healthy and close friendship “because she talked to me, cared for me”. His
love for her was “chaste” despite finding her attractive.

11. Who was Ronnie Tall Bear? Why didn’t he go to college?

Ronnie Tall Bear was Marie’s boyfriend, who was an extremely talented athlete. Despite this,
he didn’t go to college, not necessarily because of his own choosing but due to the very
prominent racial discrimination against ‘Indians’. David even commented, “College was not
for Indians” reinforcing the brutal, discriminatory stereotypes and racism in Bentrock during
these times.

12. According to the author, where in the plot does the story begin?

The plot of the story begins in the third bedroom of the second floor, Marie’s room.

13. How does the narrator’s mother treat fever?

By bringing their temperature down, in Marie’s case, her mother stated “we should be able
to sweat that out of you in no time” using two wool blankets and spreading them over Marie
to do so.
14. How did Marie feel about mother calling a doctor? Why?

She was strongly against calling a doctor, specifically Frank because of his reputation and due to
her past experiences.

15. How did father feel about Indians?

Whilst David commented, “My father did not like Indians. No, that is not exactly accurate
because it implies that my father dislikes Indians which wasn’t so” it appeared that David’s
father held them in a low regard. He was not “a hate-filled baggot” and he could treat them
with respect as he would every other individual. However, he believed they were “ignorant,
lazy, superstitious and irresponsible”.

16. Who and why did the boy feel sorry for whenever Uncle Frank came over?
David felt sorry for his father whenever Uncle Frank came over, he stated, “Brothers
naturally invite comparison” and went on to describe how whilst his father was in many
respects an impressive man, Frank was ‘superior’. David’s grandfather, obviously favorited
Frank and referred to him as ‘my son’ despite having two.

17. According to Frank, why didn’t Marie want treatment?

Frank suggested the reasons for Marie refusing treatment was due to her cultural beliefs.
“They’re used to being treated by the medicine man. Or some old squaw. But a doctor
comes around and they think he’s the evil spirit or something”.

18. According to mother, why didn’t Marie want treatment?

Marie privately discussed her reasoning for not wanting treatment with David’s mother after
Frank had left, suggesting it was not to do with the treatment itself but Frank. Who had been
abusing his power as a medical professional to act inappropriately and taking indecent
liberties.

19. Why was father concerned for himself about Mother talking to him about Frank?
David’s father was concerned for himself because it would mean he would need to choose
between his family and his morals. As the sheriff, it was his duty and responsibility to take
actions against the violations of justice but it would also damage his family’s reputation in
the process and he claimed “I don’t want this getting back to my father”.

20. Did father feel Frank was guilty? Example

It appears based off of David’s father’s reaction, he felt Frank was guilty. As soon as David’s
mother had informed him of the situation, David narrated “I waited for my father to
explode, to shout a defence of his brother, to scream a condemnation of Marie and her lies”.
This would have been Wesley’s response if he did not believe Frank was guilty but instead
his response was quiet, “Why are you telling me this?”. If he truly believed Frank was
innocent, he wouldn’t enquire further, he would defend his brother. Even if he may not have
wanted to admit it, he could feel that Frank was guilty.
Montana 1948

Part Two Questions

1. What did father say he was going to pick up that told the boy he was going to the Indian
reservation?

His father told him he was going to pick up honey, which essentially meant he was going to the
Indian reservation as he had no jurisdiction and no “real” reason to be there.

2. What did Ollie Young Bear represent to the people of the town?

Ollie Young Bear represented to the people of the town “what Indians could be” as they were
looked down upon in Bentrock. An epitome of an assimilated Indian.

3. According to the boy what did his father’s praise for Ollie Young Bear’s bowling game
represent? What was bowling like for the boy?

Whilst bowling with his father and Ollie Young Bear, he felt like a child and claimed it “felt a
lot like going to school”. His father would repeatedly praise Ollie Young Bear trying to show
his esteem for Ollie and lack of prejudice.

4. What did Marie feel for Ollie Young Bear?

Marie did not view Ollie Young Bear in the special light of which so many others did, in fact,
she felt as though he were “betraying” his culture and ethnicity and Marie even went as so
far as to say “he won’t be happy until he’s white”. He was representing Indians to the town,
yet the Indians themselves did not feel as though he was an accurate representation.

5. Why did the house seem so different when boy was home alone with Marie?
The radio was on before she was sick, when she was sick, the house seemed different to
David because it was so silent.

6. What kind of wind was blowing when father questioned Marie a second time? Where were
Mum and the boy?
There was a gusty wind blowing that lowered the temperature twenty degrees in less than
an hour. David and his mother stood in the middle of the yard whilst his father questioned
Marie.

7. When father made a suggestion about taking a vacation, what usually happened?

He would offer to make David and his mother feel better, but wouldn’t follow through with the
promise.

8. What did grandfather give the boy when he went out riding?
His grandfather gave him a gun Hi-Standard automatic .22 target pistol and a box of cartridges
to shoot coyotes.

9. What did father believe a single-shot rifle would do for the boy?

He believed that having only one shot to be an incentive to make it count, improve aim etc.

10. What did the boy shoot? How did he feel about killing it?

David shot a magpie, instead of sadness and exhilaration, he felt calm. It was a break and a
release from everything he had experienced in the last few days regarding Frank, Marie and his
parents.

11. What did the boy do when he watched Frank step toward his father?
He aimed his Grandfather’s pistol at Frank to “protect” his father despite being aware it
wasn’t loaded. The action in itself was symbolic of David’s love and protection of his father.

12. What did frank promise father he’d do to solve the situation? Why did father think it was
enough? How did mother feel about it?

Frank promised not to do it again and his father believed this was enough as he would “have to
meet his punishment in the hereafter” and what’s done is done, the damage can’t be undone.
Despite this, his mother believed “sins shouldn’t go unpunished” and didn’t believe it was just.

13. What did Frank attribute Marie’s death to?

Frank argued that pneumonia is still a very serious disease and it’s likely Marie died from her
heart giving failing or lungs filling quickly, he also suggested it’s possible she had a pre-
existing condition.

14. What did the boy think the hardest part of his father’s job?

David believed that the hardest part of his father’s job was notifying the families of those who
have recently passed. David described him as “toting around a basket of grief”.

15. According to Grandfather, what did it mean to be a Montana Peace Officer?

According to Grandfather, being a Montana Peace Officer “means knowing when to look and
when to look away”.

16. According to Len, did father follow Grandfather’s definition? Why?

Len told David “your dad hasn’t quite got the hang of it” suggesting his father was not
following this. This implies that David’s father should have “looked away” from Marie and
Frank’s situation.

17. What did the boy tell his father he saw?

David told his father that he saw Uncle Frank walking from the direction of their house the same
day that Marie died.
18. Who else could have seen that disturbed father the most?

David’s father was disturbed that Len may have seen him as Len knew about Frank’s actions
towards Marie and this would seem very suspicious to Len implying he may realise Frank was
Marie’s murderer. Similarly, Len had some power as he was deputy Sherriff and this could
damage their family reputation.

19. What vision did the boy have regarding the local Indians?
He had a vision of them all gathered on the top of Circle Hill mourning Marie’s death dressed
in their jeans, cowboy boots, cotton print dresses and flannel shirts.
Montana 1948

Part Three Questions

1. Where did Marie’s family choose to bury Marie?

Marie’s family chose not to bury Marie in Montana but instead bury her in her home back in
North Dakota.

2. What was father doing all the time after Marie’s death?

He was working all the time, trying to build a case and gather evidence.

3. Who did father suspect of burning down Mr Shelton’s Hardware store?

He suspected Mr Shelton himself because of insurance money.

4. How did father’s demeanour change when he closed in on a suspect?

He would become much friendlier and sociable, laughing and telling jokes, passing out
cigars, asking if he could do favours, garnering good will and popularity. He did this so that
everyone in the town would agree with his suspicions for arresting someone, even someone
who appear to be innocent.

5. Who did father take to the basement? Why did father choose the basement?

He took Frank down to the basement because it was quiet and the door could be locked. The
laundry room he was in had a wringer washer, a galvanised sink, a shower and toilet as well
as drawers with old clothes and blankets. If Frank was to be put down there for a long period
of time, he would be much more comfortable and still had access to these things.

6. Who did mother insist father tell immediately?

Mother insisted that Wesley tell Gloria, Frank’s wife, immediately.

7. Who was the boy supposed to run to in case of trouble?

In case of any trouble, David was supposed to run to Len who was Wesley’s deputy and their
neighbour because he knew about the entirety of the situation and could be trusted.

8. What did grandfather reach for in his pocket when he got upset? What did grandfather
think Frank was being held for?
David believed Grandfather was reaching for a weapon, his gun, as he had pulled it on a
stranger before. Instead, he pulled out a cigar. Grandfather believed Frank was being held
for “beating up some Indian” and stated “since when do you get arrested in this part of the
country for taking a poke at a man”
9. What did grandfather accuse father of being jealous of?

Grandfather accused Wesley of being jealous of Frank, “ever since Frank came home in a
uniform and you stayed here, you’ve been jealous”.

10. What did father tell grandfather that finally silenced him?

He yells “Murder”, implying Frank murdered Marie which silences David’s grandfather.

11. What did the boy see his father do when he went down to get a piece of cake?
He saw his father on his knees with his head in his mother’s lap, David recalled how his
mother used to do the same movements when he was younger. His father was crying.

12. Who did father warn the boy not to let in? Why?
His father told him not to let his grandfather in if he ever came because his grandfather was
siding with Frank and would not stand to see him locked up. Grandfather would release
Frank, help him prove his so called innocence and because of his grandfather’s reputation,
it’s most likely the town would believe him.

13. What change did the boy realise when he went to the grocery store?

The “shame” of his family name and impact Frank’s actions might have, being a Hayden
would mean having an identity he didn’t want “but could do nothing to disown or deny”.

14. What did David wonder when he ran into Miss Schott?

He recalled that she had been a patient’s of Franks and wondered if he had also taken
indecent liberties. “What did Uncle Frank do to you? Did he touch you there? There?”.

15. What men showed up at the house? How did mother drive them off? Who came out to
help her?

Employees of grandfather’s showed up, one of them being Dale Paris who was the foreman
at grandfather’s ranch. Mother drove them off with a shotgun and David and Len came to
help her.

16. What did mother ask father to do with Frank?

She said to “Let him go” in order to protect their family stating she just wants her house
back and her family safe.

17. What was Len’s opinion? Who had approached Len regarding Frank?

Len agreed with David’s mother, he said “Might as well let him go. Even on the lesser charge
you’re going to have a hell of a time getting a conviction. In this town. With your pop. With
who’s going to be testifying against him”. Grandfather himself had approached Len
regarding Frank.

18. What was being broken in the basement?

 Frank was breaking the glass canning jars in the basement, jars of tomatoes, rutbagas,
pickles, plum jelly, applesauce and corn relish.

19. When father told the story of he and Frank as kids, what were they collecting? Who were
the Highdog Brothers? What did Frank do to them?
Cordell and Wesley were collected golf balls when the Highdog brothers claimed that they
were theirs because it was a part of the territory they watched over. The Highdog brothers
were three Blackfoot brothers widely known as bad customers. They chased Cornell and
Welsey after they refused to give up the golf balls and Frank stood up for his brother against
them, he didn’t catch them but he scared them away.

20. What did David feel toward Frank when it was over?

When it was all over, David felt something he hadn’t felt for his uncle in life. “It was
gratitude, yes, but it was something more. It was very close to love.”