Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Montana 1948 Essay

Analyse how the writer presented a positive OR negative view of humanity and / or society.


Larry Watson presents a negative view of society through his novel, Montana 1948. Watson presents this through a 12 year old boy named David Hayden who witnesses the racism of his family and the white towns people towards the native American Indians.


A negative view of society was of the racism of the white towns people towards the American Indians. David eavesdrops on his parents' conversation and David thinks to himself, "My father didn't say anything, but I knew what he was thinking: She's an Indian - why would she tell the truth?" which showed his awareness of his father, Wesley's, racism. David had known his father disliked Indians even though he was sheriff of the town and should treat everyone unbiasedly. Wesley wouldn't trust what Marie, their Indian housekeeper, had said because she was of a different race. The racism towards the Indians showed a negative view of society which was presented through Wesley's mistrust of Marie's words.

Another example was of Frank Hayden taking advantage of Indian women. Frank Hayden was a trusted figure of society, a doctor, who has power over the town as he was a 'Hayden'. He molests and rapes Indian women, "He does things to these women," David's mother had told Wesley. This presented a negative view of society through Frank's actions towards the Indian women. Even though as a doctor he should be helping people get better, he takes advantage of them and does things to them that they don't want to do.

3 comments:

  1. Miss, I'm sorry. My brain has turned into mush. I shall finish it when ideas magically fly in.

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  2. Grade: NA - A

    Comment: You have strated a good essay, if you had continued you would have achieved.

    Feedback: you explained yourself well and was very clear

    Feedforward: it looks like you did not plan your response. Next time please include a little plan at the start so I can see where you are going with your argument

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh and dont worry we all get brain freeze, this is why we practice. :-):-)

    ReplyDelete