Homework

Due Wednesday, 10/3

Read up to page 76 of Montana.

Answer the following questions:


1. As the second chapter begins, we see David Hayden begin to reconstruct
his father's investigation. We are reminded that, in large measure, the story of
what happened that summer in Montana is hearsay and deduction. How
accurate do you suppose are David's conclusions? Do the three deductions
presented on the following pages give us confidence in his ability to ferret out
the truth? Why or why not?
2. Ollie Young Bear
His role in the story is slight. In fact, he virtually disappears after this one scene. Why is he in the story? What is the significance of the fact that he has a white wife?
3. What's important about the scene in the bowling alley on page 59? What
does it show about David, about his father?
4. What's the significance of the weather in the scene on page 63, when
David and his mother are temporarily banished from the house?
5. On page 65, David's mother delivers a short soliloquy on the geography of
Montana, and the geography of her youth. David interprets this as her way of
saying "she wanted a few moments of purity." He also ads that he is "on the trail
of something that [will] lead him out of childhood." Explain.
6. On page 67, en route to the ranch, David's father makes a tentative
suggestion that the family take a trip to Yellowstone, a national park in
Montana and Wyoming. Is this destination arbitrary? And what do you make
of David's observation that "unfortunately, he did not often keep his promises."
7. On page 69, we get to see David's grandfather for the first time. What sort
of figure is he? Does he resemble anyone else in the story, or anyone else
you have seen in the literature and film of the West?
8. On the same subject, what do you make of the Hayden's house on page
68? What does it say about its occupants?
9. On page 71, the subject of Frank's and Gloria's childlessness comes up
just when David, who is eavesdropping, expects his father to tell Grandpa
Hayden about Frank's improper sexual relationships with Indian girls. What do
you make of this juxtaposition? Why do you think David's father is bringing up
the subject now?
10. On the same page, David thinks: "Tell Grandfather. Tell him, and he'll take
care of everything. He'll grab Uncle Frank by the shoulders and shake him so
hard his bones will clatter like castanets. He'll shake him up and shout in
Frank's face that he'd better straighten up and fly right or there'll be hell to
pay. And because it's grandfather, that will be the end of it." What does this
deep faith in his grandfather show about David? And what do you make of the
violence of this vision? Why his grandfather, and not his father?