Group+Two+Montana

'Book Group Template DATE:3/21/11 GROUP #: 2 MEMBERS: Lauren Kaplan, Kathleen Miles, Corinne Weir, Kim Pfeifer

WEEK 1 · Imagery/ Symbolism Imagery- Through the many examples of imagery we learn that David really is unhappy of where he is now. Another symbol is David’s grandfather. He symbolizes the controlling ways he has over people and how it is used in manipulative ways · Character Behavior or Psychology: Narrator’s Father Narrator’s mother (Gail) Marie and Ronnie Tall Bear 1.) What the Character says Ronnie has no lines and Marie usually makes small talk with David or his mother. One thing that Marie clearly expressed is that she din not want a doctor to come help her after shed became ill. 2.) What The Character does Marie is a housekeeper for the Hayden family. Ronnie is a cowboy. He is one because although a good enough athlete, Ronnie was exactly what colleges weren’t looking for, which was Native American. 3.) What others/ narrator says about the character David loves both of them. He loves Marie because he thinks she is pretty and kind and he admires Ronnie for being an amazing athlete. David’s father however looks down upon them due to the fact that they are Native American. Lastly David’s mother gale cares for Marie very much and wants to keep her in the house to take care of her even thought she does almost anything to avoid germs. Uncle Frank (and Aunt Gloria)-Uncle Frank is David's uncle, a war hero, doctor, witty, charismatic, charming, rapist, and most of all, two- faced. He had been a star athlete in high school and college, and done generous things to save the lives of others. Except for the fact that he is very messed up, and has a suicidal side of him that leads to hurting others in the process. Aunt Gloria is his wife. She's quiet, petite, and blonde. She isn't involved that much in the beginning and for the most part Frank has a say in everything. Grandfather · Interesting Passages (at least two passages, cited in proper MLA format) Questions/ Predictions Predictions 1. I predict someone is going to her hurt or possibly die 2. I predict there’s going to be a lot of big dictions are going to be made 3. I predict that David isn’t going to stay in Bent Rock. Questions 1. What is going on with this doctor? How do people know he’s raped women 2. How is David handling everything that’s going on, what is he going to do? 3. Is the story going to turn out interesting, and does the story appeal to readers our age. Connection to modern life Throughout this novel, Montana 1948 by Larry Watson, contains many issues within David's family. He discovers that his uncle Frank, also the local doctor, is a rapist of many indian women. And with that being said, Uncle Frank the local doctor rapes their babysitter and things get worse from there. Relating this to modern life, things were very different. Things back then were more strange and people could get away with a lot more. When someone is ill, you go to the doctor to get cured or find ways to feel better. In the novel there was only one local doctor that the whole town shared, and more sicknesses were common were as now we have more medicine to cure diseases and more doctors to take care of us.

Week 2 · Imagery/ Symbolism Character Behavior or Psychology: For Part one you must focus on characterization of the main characters listed below. Narrator’s FatherWes is David's father, he is somewhat of a stern person who cares about his job and is a kind man. He cares about his family and friends. He's unsure to believe his brothers actions toward the babysitter, Marie, since she died of pneumonia and what his brother could've done to help her. He suspected Uncle Frank of raping Marie but wasn't sure because of how sneaky Uncle Frank was so he got evidence from Uncle Frank's patients to prove himself right. Narrator’s mother (Gail) Marie and Ronnie Tall Bear Uncle Frank (and Aunt Gloria) Grandfather What the Character says David’s grandfather come off as a very serious and stern man but we learn he has a funny side when he jokes about keeping the whole chocolate cake that Gail made for himself. What The Character does The Character often passes on his judgments to other people. Also he likes to assert his power and make others around him feel inferior. What others/ narrator says about the character David mainly describes his grandfather’s house more than his grandfather himself. We can infer that he is wealthy through the description of his large house. We also learn that his house resembles a Indian/ Ranch style and not of that of a traditional house · Interesting Passages (at least two passages, cited in proper MLA format) An interesting passage from the book was when the grandfather was talking to Wes about Frank and Gloria having kids and that they've been trying forever now. The grandfather said to Wes that "they had to be white," and Wes was pretty confused on what he meant by that. The conversation ended with the grandfather mentioning something about Uncle Frank and indian girls, probably giving a hint of something. (pg. 72-73) Questions/ Predictions Predictions: I predict that David will discover much more about Maria's death. I also think that Uncle Frank is the one who murdered Maria. and lastly i think that Davids father will have many difficult decisions to make, which comes first family or the law? Questions: Will what David witnessed be enough to convict uncle frank? Will We discover anymore secrets involving Uncle Franks secret life? Will this make David want to stay in Bent-rock?

Week 3 · Imagery/ Symbolism Character Behavior or Psychology: For Part one you must focus on characterization of the main characters listed below. Narrator’s Father Narrator’s mother (Gail)-Gail appears to be a nervous reck during this last section of the book. She fears the fact that Uncle Frank is locked up in the basement in her house and is causing her family to be put at risk of danger with the strange men coming in to brake Uncle Frank out and the fact that everyone is loosing their mind over Uncle Frank's effect on the family. She put up with the chaos that occured beneath her feet and handled the situation as best as she could in order to keep David safe. Marie and Ronnie Tall Bear Uncle Frank (and Aunt Gloria 1.) What the Character says Uncle Frank Admits his crimes to David’s father in this section. 2. ) What The Character does Uncle frank gets locked up in the basement of David’s home after being committed for his crime. He also is heard throwing jars by David’s family from behind the door. In the End Frank decides to end his life instead of going to prison. 3.) What others/ narrator says about the character Franks father think that frank should be let go and isn’t fully convinced that frank was guilty of the crimes he was being accused of. David’s family all knew that Frank was not only guilty of sexual assault but also guilty of the murder of Marie. Grandfather · Interesting Passages (at least two passages, cited in proper MLA format) “I don’t want to have to worry about him breaking out- bursting into the kitchen like, like … like I don’t know what. A crazy man!”(sec 3, pg 143, paragraph3) “I must have made a sound- a little gasp that cracked against my larynx- because y father turned towards me. His features were contorted for a sob, but his eyes were tearless” (sec 3, pg 160, paragraph 3) ·Questions/ Predictions you have:
 * 1) I don’t get why the dad kept everything so secretive from David.
 * 2) Why did Uncle Frank kill himself if he knew what he was doing was wrong he should of faced it like a man.
 * 3) The family shouldn’t have lied about his death.

Predictions


 * 1) I predict something bad is going to happen with the family.
 * 2) I think eventually although David doesn’t know much about Uncle Frank he’s going to hear about it from other people.

Connections to Modern Life When someone is usually charged of a murder, they are sent right to jail. But in this case, Wes (the father) was in a somewhat different and very difficult situation. His brother was the murderer and was charged guilty of raping many woman who served him as patients. Wes handled the situation by locking his brother in the basement, putting his family at risk of any danger and at the same time avoiding and public interference of any kind for the sake of his job, the family name, and the type of reputation he could have with a situation like this.

**Introduction:** >
 * Background information: The whole family knew that Frank was guilty, yet they still tried to cover it up and ignore it.
 * 1)The position of authority was passed down through generations, therefore the father did not have to worry about the law.
 * 2)Uncle Frank was never told to stop what bad things he was doing by his father (Grandpa Hayden)
 * 3)Grandfather didn't worry about his kids as much as he should have (Uncle Frank breaking the law).
 * **Thesis****: The Hayden men's lack of knowledge between what is right and wrong and their sense of protection from the law are the root reasons for all the Hayden families problems.**

**Supporting Section #1:**
 * The main person to blame out of the Hayden men for the lack of knowledge between what in society is acceptable and what is not is Grandpa Hayden.
 * “ He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others. To him, being the law's agent probably seemed part of natural progression-first you master the land and its beasts, then you regulate the behavior of men and women”(section 1, page 20, paragraph 2)
 * “ I saw him towering there like a thundercloud I thought, he won't let anything happen to his beloved son. But what if its his other son who is trying to do something...”(sec 2, pd 69, paragraph 3)
 * The first quote shows that Grandpa Hayden has the ability to strongly influence the people he is involved with. Uncle Frank was never told by his father that taking advantage of any people is wrong. The second quote showed that Grandpa Hayden was so protective of his sons that Frank felt a sense of security in doing what was wrong and knowing he wouldn't have to deal with consequences.

**Supporting Section //#2://**  - “That night, the jars began to break. I woke around 1:00 am, startled but unsure of what had roused me. Then I heard it, a distant pop and a faint clinking. I searched the dark, not because I thought the sound was in my room, but because I felt, I’m my sleepy groping, that activating any of my other senses might help my hearing.” This is David speaking, recalling the night Uncle Frank was in the basement making noise and no one could figure out what it was.  - “My father and mother, in their pajamas, were sitting on the couch. They were not touching each other, and they looked frightened and tired..” David’s parents awoke from the noise that occurred one night when Uncle Frank was in the basement with crashing glass noises and banging in the small cellar he was kept, not knowing what was going on. -Uncle Frank, David’s uncle and Wes’ brother, was a twisted man. Throughout the novel he gives off the impression of being a friendly loving man with a caring personality and likes to help others. When really, he uses that type of attitude in order for people to trust him and convince others to take his side, and that’s how he gets away with raping young Indian women. David’s babysitter, Marie, was stuck with a horrible cough causing her to see a doctor for the medical attention she needed. I’m sure the question was, why Frank? He did a lot of good things in his life, was a war hero, helped others, and yet he rapes innocent Indian women that are his patients. Frank is two-faced and feels since he is known as the better child out of Wes and him, he could get away with whatever he wanted. The grandfather always favored Frank’s achievements over Wes’, when really all along Wes was the better son. By the end of the novel Frank commits suicide in Wes’ basement when Wes was holding him hostage and keeping it a family matter over the fact that he was a rapist and would be charged of murder.

**Supporting Section #3:**
 * Wes Hayden does not no any other way of life than what he grew up with.
 * Wes doesn't take into account that he is the leader and needs to take responsibility and help to fix his brother.
 * "I first learned of his racism when i was seven or eight. An Aunt gave me a pair of moccasins and father forbade me to wear them. ...My father said 'He'll wear those and soon he'll be as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian.' " (Watson 34)
 * <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">He never grew up in any other way. He was racist, as was his family. When he recived the job as Sherrif, he felt the leadership and the power, and he realized he no longer has to listen to anyone.

<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.02in;">**Conclusion:**
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">**The Hayden men's lack of knowledge between what is right and wrong and their sense of protection from the law are the root reasons for all the Hayden families problems**
 * The bigger picture here is something happened with the three Haden men they were all going threw issues of their own and in the end everything was still remembered and this terrible tragedy will not go away for the people who's lives were effected.