Group+Six+Montana

DATE: GROUP #:Six MEMBERS:Justin V. (the boss), Nick B. (Mr. Awesomesauce), Aaron Z. (the Ninja Overlord)
 * Book Group Template**

For your reading of //Montana 1948//, book groups will meet four times to discuss the novel and address each aspect listed below. Take notes on your wiki for each of your meetings and save it to your group’s Wiki, noting the date and members names at the top.

**This is the reading/book discussion schedule. Be sure you have completed each part prior to the book discussion day.**

1) Part One, Monday, March 21st 2) Part Two, Thursday, March 24th 3) Part Three, Monday, March 28th 4) Afterward/Epilogue, Wednesday, March 30th

**Directions: Write your notes for every category below on your group’s wiki space. Be sure to discuss in your groups:**

· Imagery/ Symbolism

· Character Behavior or Psychology: For Part one you **must** focus on characterization of the main characters listed below. **For each character, discuss all three modes of characterization:** You must use textual evidence for each of these three elements of characterization
 * 1. What the character says **
 * 2. What the character does **
 * 3. What others/narrator says about the character **

=__**Part 1**__= __ Narrator’s Father (Wesley) __ 1. 2. Will not accuse people of misdemeanors/crimes without a significant amount of evidence. 3. Narrator describes him as "an impressive man. He is tall, broad-shouldered and pleasant-looking."

__ Narrator’s mother (Gail) __ 1.

Marie and Ronnie Tall Bear Marie 1. Described as "neither small nor shy." (pg. 25) 2. Narrator says "She talked to me, cared for me." (pg. 25) 3. The Hayden Family's Housekeeper.

Ronnie 1. Worked on a ranch north of Bentrock. 2. Narrator said that he "worshiped him." (pg. 26) 3. Described as being "one of the finest athletes the region had ever produced." (pg. 26)

__ Uncle Frank (and Aunt Gloria) __ __ Uncle Frank __ 1. 2. The main character says about his Uncle's looks compared to his father's. "But Frank was all this and more. He was handsome--dark, wavy hair, a jaw chiseled on such precise angles it seemed to conform to some geometric law, and he was as tall and well built as my father, but with an athletic grace my father lacked." (Pg. 36) 3. The main character's father made a small joke about Uncle Frank after he called him. "(After reading one of the clippings, my father muttered, 'I wonder if he was supposed to stay at the hospital.')" (Pg. 36) __ Aunt Gloria __ 1. 2. The main character describes about how beautiful his Aunt looks like. "Gloria, my uncle's wife, was the most prettiest woman I had ever seen. (Prettier than my mother--a significant admission for a boy to make.) Aunt Gloria was barely five feet tall, and had silver-blond hair. She and Frank had been married five or six years but had no children." (Pg. 35) 3. The character's grandfather talked to his Uncle about having a family with Gloria. "I once overheard my grandfather say to my uncle: 'Is she too small to have kids? Is that it, Frank? Is the chute too tight?'"

Grandfather 1. The retired sheriff of Mercer County 2. Passed his job onto his son. 3. A family man 4. Made a toast to his second son Frank for returning from the war safely 5. He "said a few words honoring all of the men who served." (pg. 37)

__Narrator's Father (Wesley)__ 1. 2. 3.
 * __ Part 2 __**

__Narrator's Mother (Gail)__ 1. 2. 3.

__Marie and Ronnie Tall Bear__ __Marie__ 1. Still felt a little sick 2. She said she "felt stronger" 3. Died from pneumonia

__Ronnie__ 1. Not much is said about Ronnie 2. He would have to be notified that Marie had died

__Uncle Frank (and Aunt Gloria)__ __Uncle Frank__ 1. 2. 3. __Aunt Gloria__ 1. 2. 3.

__Grandfather__ 1. Narrator says that he is good at "turning casual remarks so they became opportunities for him to pass on his judgments or browbeating opinions." 2. Grandfather knows that Frank is attracted to Indian girls but doesn't seem to do anything about it.

· Interesting Passages (at least two passages, cited in proper MLA format)

· Questions/ Predictions you have:

· Connections to modern life or your personal life

__ Essay __

Opening

In a family, sometimes one choice can lead to strange choices that could change the relationship between them.

Avenue #1 Frank Hayden -Sexually Harasses Indian Women -Always attracted to them

Avenue #2 Wesley Hayden -Struggles between being Frank’s brother and the Law of Mercer County

Avenue #3 Grandpa Hayden -County sheriff for many years -Said that it was difficult for him to move from the ranch and its open expanses to a small apartment. -Plays favorites with his sons

One choice that is good in one's mind may ruin another person's reputation or relationship.

First Body Par.

Frank, a World War 2 veteran and doctor, has one of the most problematic troubles in the book. Ever since he was young, he always admired Indian women. Since Frank is a doctor, no one, except for his patients, know that he has been sexually harassing them. "When he examines Indian girls he does things to them"-- Gail Hayden talking about Frank (Watson 47). One of his victims, Marie Little Soldier was the first to publicize what Frank did to his patients. In addition, Frank's nephew, David, told his father that he saw Frank walk out of their house on the same day and a few minutes after Marie's death. Eventually, when Frank realizes that all of the evidence points to him and people would soon know about his actions, he committed suicide in the Hayden's basement by cutting his wrists. Sometimes one bad decision can lead to another with serious consequences.

Second Body Par.

Wesley Hayden, the sheriff of Mercer County, can't decide between the law and his brother. They have grown up together their whole lives but Wesley hasn't received as much love and attention by their father than Frank has. Even though they were treated differently, they always got along with each other and had good times when they were young. "He is my brother -- we grew up together, sucked the same tit!"-- Wesley Hayden (Waston 150). One time when Wes was being chased by some hoodlums, he found Frank and he drove them away. Because of these good experiences, Wes is stuck with a choice of defending the law or defending his brother. Finally, he arrests his brother and keeps him in the basement of the Hayden house. When Wesley's father finds out about it, he comes and demands Wes to release him. When he doesn't, his father sends some of his workers to the house to try and bust Frank out. Luckily, they are driven away by Gail and Len McCauley. His wife Gail, tells him to just let Frank go and put an end to all of the non-sense. Wes ponders this for a long time and finally makes his decision to turn Frank in. But before he could do it, Frank commits suicide. Wes was crushed by his brother's death. He was trying to hide his tears from his son David. With one good deed done, repercussions follow.

Third Body Par.

Grandpa Hayden, the previous sheriff of Mercer County, was a strong willed man. He was a man who often stuck to his morals and wouldn't change opinions as often. He was a one to play favorites with his sons. Grandpa Hayden usually picked his son, Frank, who was both a WWII veteran as well as successful doctor. Frank was the ripened grape from the bundle. His other son, Wesley, appeared as the sour one. With a crooked leg, which hindered him from joining the fight over seas, had become the new county sheriff. "With his war record he could be practicing in Billings. In Denver. In Los Angeles. There's not a community in the country that wouldn't be proud to have him. But he came back to us. My son. Came back to us"--Grandpa Hayden referring to Frank (Watson 38).