Questions About Montana 1948

by Larry Watson (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (3)

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. IT IS HARMFUL TOWARDS THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY. see review. https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/search?q=montana+1948

Debbie T I don't feel that the book is harmful towards the American Indian community.I think it's realistic for that time period and situation. I'm not saying …moreI don't feel that the book is harmful towards the American Indian community.I think it's realistic for that time period and situation. I'm not saying that what the characters did was right, nor is the book saying that, but you must admit, they faced a problem without an easy answer. It would be wonderful if we all always did the right things, but sometime we don't, and this book explores that. There could be no good ending.(less)

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viemag I feel that as a child, David, is relieved at this Uncle's death because he is hoping things will return to the time of innocence when he didn't know …moreI feel that as a child, David, is relieved at this Uncle's death because he is hoping things will return to the time of innocence when he didn't know about the crimes his Uncle committed and that there was a difference between the law and justice. The story is a coming of age story for David and this thinking shows him trying to return to his childhood. The ending of "Don't blame Montana" again shows the struggle Wesley Haydon had with his family and with the law vs. justice. Betsey, David's wife, says it was "The Wild West" relapsing into false thinking and denial of racism and the law vs. justice. While Wesley knows there were so many other causes for what happened that summer. No justice for Marie, the corruption of the Haydon's who used their wealth and position to "rule" the town, the town looking the other way because Frank was a Haydon, and systemic racism. The ending leaves David sitting at the table in the same spot wondering about the trauma they have kept unspoken for all those years.
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Do we ever know explicitly about the "secret" that David kept? There was the part that he told to his dad in the bedroom that night, but he alluded to there being more that he couldn't tell. Was I just missing something?

Josephine Briggs I believe that he heard much of what was going on with his uncle. Whispered comments by ladies, Indian women and girls refusing to go to this doctor. …moreI believe that he heard much of what was going on with his uncle. Whispered comments by ladies, Indian women and girls refusing to go to this doctor. David knew more than he let on. He was afraid to say anything to his father or question him about all of this. (less)

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