In what way is the novel 'Montana 1948' about the prejudice and abuse of power? (essay)?

Answer 1

This novel tells the story of David Hayden who learns about the attitude of people toward the local Native Americans. The Indians are powerless to combat the abuse of Frank Hayden because the Hayden family is so powerful. When Marie, the housekeeper that David loves, gets sick, his parents ask his dad's brother, a doctor, to tend to her. She shouts, “No! No!” and his parents learn that David's Uncle Frank have been molesting and raping Indian women all of his life.

David learns that his uncle, who has been much more impressive than David's father because he is a war hero and the doctor of the town, is really rotten and hollow on the inside. David accidentally sees his uncle go to his house when no one was there but Marie and after that Marie was dead. David knows that his uncle has committed murder. Then David learns about the true, admirable character of his father. When he tells about seeing his uncle, David's dad arrests him, but instead of locking him in the jail, he locks him in their basement to save him the embarrassment. David's father also has to stand up against David's grandparents and against the ranch workers who come to free his uncle. After the events of this summer of 1948 in Montana, David has basically grown up and learned that the appearance of people is not always the reality.

So the prejudice issue is about the attitudes toward the American Indians. The abuse of power is found in Frank's position as a doctor and his molestation of his patients.

Good Luck with the essay!

Answer 2

Montana 1948 Essay