The document provides a summary of the novel Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. It describes the story as being told from the perspective of 12-year-old David and focusing on his family struggling with loyalty and justice. Specifically, David watches as his father Wes, the town sheriff, must decide how to handle a situation involving his brother Frank, which results in unforeseen consequences and family strife. The story takes place in 1948 in the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana and explores themes of obligation to do what is right despite personal costs, the responsibility of parents, and how moral actions can have unintended consequences where justice may not be achievable.

1. A Reflection on Family and Duty
Montana 1948

2. Montana 1948, by Larry Watson, is a story told by twelve-year-old David. The narrator
watches his family struggle with the concepts of loyalty and justice.
Wes Hayden, David’s father, is controlled by his family name, forsaking his law career
and stressing his marriage to please Grandpa Hayden. When Wes learns of a situation
involving his brother, he has to decide how to proceed as the town’s sheriff. His actions
result in unforeseen consequences and family strife, and David watches from the side
and learns about family, duty, loyalty, and honor.

3. Characters:
The Hayden Family Tree
Grandpa and Grandma Hayden
Wes and Gail Hayden Frank and Gloria Hayden
David Hayden

4. Mercer County, Montana
1948
The story takes place in the fictional town of Bentrock, the sole town in Mercer
County (also fictional), located in the northeast corner of the state.

5. •Character against self Wes struggles with
his decision on how to deal with his brother
Frank
•Character against another Wes has to face
his wife, brother, and father in making his
decision
•Character against society and self Wes
must choose between his duty to the law
and his loyalty to his family

6. •We have an obligation to do what is right, even when it is costly to
our personal lives.
•Parents have the responsibility of guiding children.
•Our actions, even our moral actions, have consequences.
•In some situations, justice is never achievable.

7. Each reference to the wind details or
defines an event or foreshadows an
upcoming event.
Fence styles show us character
as we know Grandpa is tough by
his barbed wire fence and Uncle
Frank is hiding something with
his imposing structure.

8. “We all know what
happened – we know it is
there, in our shared past,
we don’t deny it, but we
don’t talk about it, as if
keeping quiet is a matter
of good manners.”
Larry Watson, Montana 1948 (174)
Sources
Watson, Larry. Montana 1948. Pocket Books: New
York, 1993.
“Pioneer Faith Trilogy.” The 1999 Montana Power
Summer Symphony. Montana Power Company.