Montana 1948, chapter 3 and epilogue, pages 105-175.(older edition) 97-169 (newer edition)
1. The first matter of the chapter is the burial of Marie Little Soldier. Her family has chosen not to have her buried locally, but to take her back to North Dakota. On page 105, (97)) David's father says, "I tried to tell Mrs. Little Soldier that this was Marie's home also and that we thought of her as a member of the family, but she didn't want
to hear..." What's odd about this remark? And why does David's mother "nod knowingly" before she answers?
2. On page 106 (97) David describes his father's approach to a criminal investigation, comparing his present investigation to one several years before. What does this description show about the way the law is conducted in Montana? How is this different from the way we expect the law to be applied?
3. What is the particular significance of the model of the B-29 that David is working on when his uncle and father arrive at the house on page 107? (99)Remember that the author could have had David doing anything at all--the model is a carefully made, perhaps symbolic choice. Consider its variety of meanings. (There's no one right answer here...)
4. Why is Uncle Frank carrying "a small satchel"? Usually--in virtually every other scene in the novel when Uncle Frank comes the house--he carries a doctor's bag. Even David notes the change. What's the meaning of the change?
5. Why do you suppose Uncle Frank seems so cheerful? Is this ironic?
6. On page 108, (100)after David's father emerges alone from the basement, he drinks liquor. What's the significance of the brand he drinks? And why does David say that he "held the glass to the rain-streaked window as if he were examining it for impurities"?
7. David also says that his father "was making a long journey while he stood in our kitchen." Explain.
8. On the bottom of page 108,((101) David leads us to believe for a moment--just a moment--that his father has killed his uncle. Why does he say this if it isn't true? Is there a sense in which he has killed his brother?
9. On page 109 (101-102)we learn what has happened. What is Wesley Hayden's motive for locking his brother in the basement? How does this represent a compromise of sorts? Evaluate his decision, based on what you know about the way the law is applied in Montana, and how in general we expect a lawyer and peace officer to behave.
10. Now, consider this gesture as metaphor. Why not the attic? A bedroom? The tool shed? Why the basement?
11. Consider also: how secure is the basement? Is it an effective jail? What does this tell you about both Wesley and Frank Hayden?
12. On page 112,(104) David's mother insists that Gloria be told immediately what has happened. This gives us a new insight into her character. Why this sudden interest in Gloria and her "rights"? How does this add complexity to the situation, to all the characters' struggle to do what's right?
13. On pages 112-113,(105-106) David's father instructs him to perform a chore. What chore, and why is it significant? Why would his father have a sudden interest in home repair? In formulating your answer, consider carefully his father's words on page 113,(106) when he seems to contradict himself, advising David that "if it was up to [him], [he'd] probably just let it go...." What wish is his father expressing?
14. On pages 115-116(106-107), David's grandfather arrives with his grandmother to demand Frank's release. Here's a question; why do you think he brings his wife along, since she says almost nothing? (In fact, even David notices her failure to claim Frank as her son....)
15. Regarding the same scene, on page 116(108), David's father says that "This isn't about family....It's a legal matter," to which his father replies, "Bullshit. Then why have you got him locked up here and not over in the jail?" Is his grandfather correct? Who is winning this argument?
16. Assess the way David's grandfather treats his father in general in this scene.
17. On page 116 (108), David is briefly afraid that his grandfather is going to pull a gun, so afraid in fact that he cries out. Instead, his grandfather produces a cigar. Apart from the obvious sexual symbolism (a cigar is another version of a gun, a male phallus), what else does it signify?
18. David's grandfather says to his father on page 119 (112), "That fucking uniform. If I could have gotten you in one, maybe we wouldn't have this problem." This is obviously an oversimplification of the situation, but it shows a great deal about grandfather Hayden's logic. He is accusing his son of failing to be a good soldier. What does this mean? What does a soldier do? How has Wesley Hayden failed to live up to this definition?
19. Consider also Grandfather Hayden's remarks on the following pages, beginning with "What the hell am I supposed to think? Screwing an Indian..." and concluding with, "Is that why I gave you that goddamn badge?" What sort of authority is his grandfather claiming? How far does he believe his will to extend over others?
20. On page 121 (113), David reminds us that he's listening to the whole conversation through the heating ducts, and suddenly realizes that his Uncle Frank is probably doing the same thing. Then he has a realization, more eerie and profound still, that his Uncle could, at this moment, speak directly to him without being heard by anybody in the living room. What do you make of this? Why does this possibility concern him so much?
21. On page 123 (116) David comes downstairs and sees his mother and father in the kitchen. Have we seen this scene before in the novel? Where? And what do you make of David's assertion, made on page 124, (117) that "this was the moment I knew my father would die someday"? In what sense is his father's mortal nature imbedded in the scene?
22. On page 124, (118) David grieves for his horse, Nutty. Why is this grief so acute for him? What does the horse represent to him? What, beyond the companionship of a responsive animal, is being lost? (An additional connection you can make: on page 16, (4) we learned that David's father's limp is caused by an accident with a horse when he was 16. Consider this as you fathom the metaphoric nature of horses in the novel.)
23. On pages 126 to 129 (118-121) David walks to town. En route, he experiences a disturbing new train of thought. What is that train of thought? How might this represent a significant turning point in his life?
24. When he returns home on 129 (122), David confronts his mother. During this conversation, she is slicing cucumbers. What is the symbolic significance of this act? (Sorry....it's obvious, but it must be noted.) How does slicing cucumbers relate to what she tells him?
25. On pages 130 to 140 (123-133), we reach one of the climaxes of the novel (novels, unlike short stories, can have several climaxes, just as a novel can more easily accommodate more than one protagonist; this scene, you might say, is the "climax" of the tale for David's mother.) On its surface, this scene might come from any number of other novels or films set in the West. How so? And more importantly, what is different here?
wack
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