Montana :: essays research papers

MONTANA BY LARRY WATSON EXTENDEND REPSONSE. 1) In his twelfth year, David discovers the pain of growing up- the fragmentation of the secure world of the innocent though the awareness of truths and realities around him. Discuss. ESSAY In the text Montana by Larry Watson, it is evident that they 12 year old David is growing up. He is a typical 12 year old, loving outdoors, riding his horse, fishing, hunting and exploring (Quote page 23), but by the influences and family around him he has a painful, confusing growing up life. As David an only child, he was not the only one that is growing up. In a way his family are still growing, learning from every part of past and present issues. David’s growing up has a lot of different influences. His father Wes is not a typically loving father. His fatherly love is harming David in a way to believe different in him and his self. Wes, David’s father, has a lot of responsibilities to cover, as he is the Mercer County sheriff. This makes David believe to look after him self and be responsible in a way to show and prove his father, as he disappoints David. (Quote page 17) Even though Wes is the sheriff he is a quite and self-effacing male who puts him self down and this shows that he isn’t the typical male stereotype of a Montana Sheriff. As the Hayden’s were well known and had heaps of power in Bentrock, David realises that he is respected because of his name, not because of himself. He didn’t have to earn it. (Quote page 126). David becomes aware of this when he is going to the grocery store, and that the locals didn’t know what was happening to his family of power. The citizens of Bentrock didn’t know that his father had arrested his own brother for sexually assaulting his patients, and murdering Marie. (Quote page 127) David had shame over his family name. Frank, Wes’ brother and David’s Uncle, has a great influence on David’s growing up. Frank shows his heroism and successfulness and this makes David envy Frank. (Quote page 78) Even though David idolised Frank, his views changed within the text. After the truth about Frank and his patients David didn’t like being alone with him. The thought his own uncle as a criminal. (Quote page 49) David changes his innocents when his is hunting and he shot and killed a magpie.