27. Until the very end of this scene, David's father in unaccounted for; in effect, he leaves his family to fend for itself. What does this show? How grave is his error?
28. On page 143(136), David's mother--who all along has forced David's father to confront the worst of Frank Hayden's sins--does an abrupt about-face. What does she say that's surprising? How have her allegiances shifted? When she speaks of "her family," whom does she mean?
29. Consider Len's remarks on page 147(141), regarding the idea that Marie's body should have had an autopsy. What is his thesis? Why do you suppose he view things this way?
30. On page 149-150 (143), David's father emerges from the basement with a stunning piece of news. What does he mean on page 150(144) when he says, "Don't ask how"? Are we meant to know exactly?
31. Speculate: why do you think Frank has confessed at this time? Evaluate his motive. Has he underestimated his brother Wesley? Or perhaps he's estimated correctly....
32. What symbolism is found in the breaking of the jars? Consider what these jars are used for, and who has used them. (It may help to recall Wesley Hayden's remark on page 113 (105-106) that "women come and they want fresh paint.") What psychological motive could Frank have for breaking them?
33. Can you see any connection--symbolic, metaphoric, psychogical--between the inverted "V" made by the bed linens on page 152 (146) and the "V" shape of Wesley Hayden's injured leg mentioned on page 16 (4)?
34. The following morning in the kitchen, Wesley Hayden tells his son a story about the Highdog brothers, members of the Blackfoot Tribe. What is this story meant to show? Consider especially his remark on page 157(151) that the Highdog brothers regarded the slough as part of their "territory." What's the historical metaphor?
35. On a similar note, what's the historical significance of the fact, mentioned on page 158(152), that the oldest Highdog, drunk, "was killed when he lay down on the railroad tracks outside town." What's the significance of the railroad in the history of the American West?
36. Why do you think that David's father takes coffee to his brother Frank on page 159 (153)? Why in the text is so much attention paid to this, the cups and saucers and aroma of it?
37. As for Uncle Frank's suicide: is there a special significance to the fact that he has used the broken jars to slash his own wrists?
38. Speculate: what is Uncle Frank's motive for comitting suicide? Does his suicide add up? Does it force the reader to reconsider the kind of man he is, and his most recent actions?
39. David says on page 161 (155) that "Uncle Frank's suicide had solved all their problems." How is he correct? How is he incorrect?
40. How is it possible, as David says on 162 (156), that he now feels love for his Uncle, despite everything he knows? Does death change the way we regard someone?
41. On page 165 (159) we learn that David's family moved away from Bentrock almost immediately, never to return. Somewhat suprisingly, it his his mother, not his father, who is the author of their departure. What does this show about her? About Wesley Hayden?
42. What do you make of David's remark on page 167 (161) that "Frank's death was an unbridgeable gap between us?" And later, that "If there was any sense, any purpose at all in Uncle Frank's suicide, if he killed himself for any reason, it was so these people--his wife, his parents, his brother, his sister-in-law--coudl be reunitd after his death"? Is Wesley saying something about the relationship between the future and the past for a Western town like Bentrock?
43. On page 169 (162), looking into his empty house, David comments on the irony of his family's exile. What is that irony? What does it say about the price paid for justice?
44. David's father returns to his first career, becoming a lawyer. David is amazed by this. As he says on page 170 (164), "after what I observed as a child in Bentrock, I could never believe in the rule of law again. That my father could continue his profession I attributed tohis ability to segment parts of his life and keep one from intruding on another." What does he mean? Is this true? Has his father always demonstrated such an ability?
45. Consider also the ways in which his father's career change is an appropriate one, under the circumstances. How is being a lawyer different from being a peace officer?
46. On page 170 (164)we learn that David has become a history teacher as an adult. He comments at length on the ways in which this is both appropriate and ironic, too. Explain. How do we usually remember and record history?
47. David makes a case, on page 171(165), that the incidents in Bentrock in the summer of 1948 directly caused the deaths of three people, in addition to his uncle: Len, his grandfather, and his father. Yet, all three died of natural causes. What does he mean? Consider the cause of death and circumstances in each case.
48. On pages 172-3 (166-167), David as the adult narrator of the story briefly flashes back to a memory of an afternoon in the company of Marie and her boyfriend Ronnie. What's this a memory of? Why is it so compelling for him? Consider the actual game they play, and why it appealed to him at the time, appeals to him still. What sort of world is he remembering, even wishing for?
49. Consider the final scene of the novel, in which David's wife Betsy questions his father at Thanksgiving dinner. First of all, what's the significance of Thanksgiving? What does it commemorate?
50. What does Betsy say that makes David's father so angry? And why does it anger him? Lastly, consider his final, thundering remark: "Never blame Montana." What about Montana is he defending?
This is the last study guide for this novel.
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