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Montana 1948 - Paper

Montana 1948

How do racist attitudes towards Indians contribute to the catastrophe that overtakes the Hayden family?

The novel Montana 1948 displays a great illustration of how racist attitudes can contribute to a catastrophe or conflict of a family. Larry Watson demonstrates how the characters in the small community of Bentrock, expresses racism. Although Wes Hayden may be one of the respectable and gentle characters, he also has a side of him that conveys racism. Frank Hayden's action towards the Indian women is a direct picture that displays racism. Julian Hayden is one powerful man in Mercer County, who belittles the Indian population. Although, there are still a number of characters that does ...

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"as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian". Wes also believes that Indians "with only a few exceptions were ignorant, lazy, superstitious, and irresponsible". "She's an Indian - why should she tell the truth", Wes Hayden's approach to this racist attitude or thinking is one of the causes or contributors to the catastrophe of the Hayden family. "I wish you wouldn't have told the sheriff" is Wes' response to the revelation that is made clear about his brother Frank. He refuses to accept the truth about his brother, making himself believe that his brother was innocent and Marie was lying, in the beginning. Wes insisted "We don't have proof of anything" when even David could see "my father knew he was guilty". This reveals that everyone has differences and own ways of expressing different attitudes.

Secondly, Watson displays that a character or a person can approach racism both directly and indirectly, in either physically or verbally. He shows that the antagonist of the story, Frank ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/27/2013 04:19:22 PM
Submitted By: jaycee_25
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 892
Pages: 4

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