Tragic Events in The novel Montana 1948 by Larry Watson...

Many of life’s experience colour the way we look at ourselves and society in which we live. The novel Montana 1948 by Larry Watson is indeed all about the tragic event of David Hayden’s twelfth summer, which irrevocably changed him. These events help us understand the idea of coming of age and how childhood experiences change us and affect how we define ourselves as adults. Montana 1948 is set in a small country town in Mercer County, Montana called Bentrock. The story is about a young boy David Hayden who couldn’t be happier.âÅ"” But one afternoon when David eavesdropped on his parents, his life changed forever. He tells us in the prologue that, â€Å" From the summer of my twelfth year I carry a series of images more vivid and lasting than any†¦show more content†¦This scene epitomises this style of writing and the frustrations that David feels for the entirety of the text. As at the beginning David was a young boy who is like any other kid in 1948. He likes to play outside with his friends, ride horses, he preferred the wilderness of the country compared to the rules enforced by people in town. He doesn’t have a care in the world as any twelve year old should. He thought that he had more status with his parents than he did but finds out that his Uncle molested Indian girls and possibly his beloved Marie. He wanted to be included in the events that was going on around him. He wanted to know what the adults were talking about. Every single detail. I think that kids like David want to know what is happening and I think its quite a bad idea because they pick up things they probably shouldn’t and as they grow older they find out that it isn’t actually a good idea. So David eavesdrops on the conversation and he wants to know what’s happening. He wants to have adult status within his parents But the one time he did listen to what his parents were talking about even though he wasn’t supposed to know changed him for ever. He says, â€Å"I would never have heard the conversation between my father and mother, and perhaps I would have lived out my life with an illusion about my about my family and perhaps.† This i s true because the conversation between Gail and Wesley wasShow MoreRelatedLight and Silence to Reinforce Truth and Justice in Larry Watsons Montana 19481037 Words   |  4 PagesLarry Watson in â€Å"Montana 1948† uses the motif of light and silence in many ways to reinforce ideas about truth and injustice. He illustrates the injustice in Bentrock, a town barely inside the state’s border, through the motif of light/dark. Watson then demonstrates to the reader the occurrence of something wrong through the motif of silence. In certain places, the motif of light assists the motif of silence to emphasize the significance of the event. Watson further explores the themes of racismRead MoreEssay on Montana 1948829 Words   |  4 PagesMontana 1948 is about the loss of innocence and the painful gain of wisdom. Discuss. Montana 1948 a series of tragic events were to have a major impact on David and his parents. David’s shocking revelations lead to his painful gaining of wisdom. When David’s story begins, his life is a stable and happy one, and his family are close and loving. It is this stability and respect though, in which the much loved and admired Frank is held by both the townspeople and David, that make the events whichRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesConflict 410 SSS Software Management Problems 410 Exercises for Selecting an Appropriate Conflict Management Strategy Bradley’s Barn 419 Avocado Computers 419 Phelps, Inc. 420 Exercises for Resolving Interpersonal Disputes 420 Freida Mae Jones 421 Can Larry Fit In? 423 Meeting at Hartford Manufacturing Company 424 SKILL APPLICATION 431 Activities for Improving Managing Conflict Skills Suggested Assignments 431 Application Plan and Evaluation 432 390 418 431 SCORING KEYS AND COMPARISON DATA