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Sample Essay Prompt 1

The novella "Montana 1948" follows protagonist David Hayden who reflects as an adult on the events of summer 1948 that forced him out of childhood innocence. As the story progresses, David becomes aware of the duality of human nature. He initially sees his uncle Frank as a hero but learns from overhearing his parents that Frank has molested Native American girls. This shatters David's view of Frank and pushes him towards adulthood. Later events like shooting a bird teach David about human fallibility. He comes to realize he must tell his father about Frank's crimes, understanding the burden of a secret like this. The events demonstrate David's rapid journey from innocent child to a more aware adult who can make difficult decisions

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75 views2 pages

Sample Essay Prompt 1

The novella "Montana 1948" follows protagonist David Hayden who reflects as an adult on the events of summer 1948 that forced him out of childhood innocence. As the story progresses, David becomes aware of the duality of human nature. He initially sees his uncle Frank as a hero but learns from overhearing his parents that Frank has molested Native American girls. This shatters David's view of Frank and pushes him towards adulthood. Later events like shooting a bird teach David about human fallibility. He comes to realize he must tell his father about Frank's crimes, understanding the burden of a secret like this. The events demonstrate David's rapid journey from innocent child to a more aware adult who can make difficult decisions

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Sample essay prompt 1

Larry Watson’s novella ‘Montana 1948’ is a bildungsroman riddled with loss of innocence,
mainly depicted through the unique dual perspective of protagonist David Hayden, who as
an adult narrator is reflecting on the past childhood events of summer 1948, as the story
progresses so does his awareness of the duality of human nature, a chain of events
forcefully excrete him out of the innocence of a 12-year-old as a result, he rapidly matured
into an adult.

At the beginning of the novella David is the epitome of innocence and naivety, he looked up
to his uncle Frank as “Nothing glittered in my father’s wake the way it did in Uncle Frank’s.”
It shows his youthful naiveness of what he thought of people, they were superior due to
athletic grace and their accomplishments, although the veneer was all he could see but
rather quickly after this admission as David is eavesdropping on his parents they reveal “…is
that your brother has molested Indian girls.” This overwhelming fact had pushed him one
step towards the journey of adulthood. Further David had already started seeing Frank as no
longer he’s hero but a criminal, the story he had heard was too lurid and frightening not too.
“But I was on the trail of something that would lead me out of childhood.” David had come
to terms with his loss of innocence, simultaneously he held the burden of secrecy while
seeking “adult status” this meant he wouldn’t be left out, he was willing to enter adulthood
just so he would be kept in light of situations yet to arise, this leads to David reflecting that
his entire conscience has changed, in his eyes his childhood innocence had been wrenched
from him, making way for the emergence of adult David.

As David quickly matures while pretending to be unaware of Frank’s crimes, when they are
called for dinner at his grandfather’s ranch he had “…shot and killed a magpie’ accustomed
with emotions such as “power and sadness, exhilaration and fear” through this Watson
suggests the duality of human nature, insinuating that a person cannot be good without the
ability to do evil, David goes one step further “My view of Uncle Frank was obstructed, and I
steadied the sights on his head , right Infront of his ear.” David’s disillusionment had
obstructed his own views, this thought although childish infers that if Frank dies then all
problems will be solved, that death was an easy way out and he is trying to make sense of
something in an unrealistic way, consequently these events had shaked his innocence,
teaching him about human fallibility as he enters the adult world.

While David “…could have kept going taken with me the truth of what happened in that
house.” He now not only has to pretend to be unaware of Frank’s criminal activities,
ultimately, he must make the adult decision on whether he should out Frank or play
oblivious once again, “That night I lay in bed and couldn’t breathe.” David comes to the
realisation that the longer he held in crucial evidence, nothing will bring him relief other
than letting it go and telling his father, he didn’t want to disgruntle his parents more than
Frank had but David finally understands the gravity of the situation and chooses to bring
justice to his beloved Marie. David reflects in reference to his parents “they died from
keeping the secret about my Uncle Frank.” This is similar to what David felt that night and
secrecy is blamed for resulting in their death, Watson suggests that the burden of holding
such a subversive secret is not worth it for all the trouble one goes through to preserve
one’s reputation, this leads to David’s ability to act as an adult as he makes necessary
decisions without letting anything cloud them and realises the harsh reality of life.

Ultimately David had stayed loyal and true to his family, understanding what was right and
what was wrong, the events that unfolded put him in a rapid journey a child of innocence to
maturing as he sees life in a more truthful and painful way , his perspective on life had been
changed, his awareness on human fallibility had increased tenfold and he didn’t let Frank
being his family obstruct his morals, Watson infers while the journey from loss of innocence
may be accompanied by harsh realities, it is necessary in order to obtain maturity.

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