David's Perception Of Indians example essay topic

The novel "Montana 1948" by Larry Watson describes the value of life between Whites and Native Americans. In this story, the Native American Indian was considered by many to be of a low class in society. In contrast, a White man who's a war hero and respected doctor is so powerful. The passage I chose shows how this power of the elitists can be used against the Indians, how justice was mainly controlled by the powerful, and how the community as a whole treated the Indians. In this novel, the twelve - year - old boy, David is the narrator. He tells the story about his family's housekeeper Marie.

She was an Indian and was molested by his uncle Frank. Marie was sick, and Frank was her doctor. David's father Wesley was the sheriff. Once David's father found out about this, he started investigating the accusations against his brother Frank. Unfortunately, Marie died. The investigation and evidence suggested that uncle Frank murdered Marie.

So David's father "arrested" Frank and kept him locked in his basement. Eventually, Frank committed suicide, and all the evidence against him was covered up. I chose to analyze the passage in part two, page 101, when David had a strange dream about Indians. In his weird dream, all the Indians in his region, from his town, ranches, and reservations, gathered on top of Circle Hill from which can see the whole town down below.

"They were doing something with Marie's death". David's perception of Indians was based much on what he saw on TV. Indian warriors with painted faces fully clothed with weapons looking for their prey and fulfilling their revenge. This was a group of strong people who not only stood up for them, but also didn't need much of an excuse to go on the "war path". To David, this may have seemed a bit scary and barbaric. I don't think this was a very appealing view.

Although the adults of the community didn't necessarily view the Indians in such this way, I don't believe they had much of a higher opinion of them themselves. In my opinion, the Indians may have looked powerful and strong, but as a whole in real life Montana, Indians were much calmer, quieter, and never complained. David said they had "a largely passive and benign presence". They were an unrepresentative voice, and were taken advantage of unless someone from the outside stood up for their rights. The whites in this town were aware of the situation, and took advantage of this fact. They were looking out only for their own interests.

I think this image shows the reality, much to the contrast to the ones David saw on TV. In this dream, all Indians in the Bent rock are gathered on top of Circle hill to do something about Marie's death. "Instead of shouting war cries to the sky, they were simply milling about, talking low, mourning Marie". I believe this behavior was a part of the culture that the Indians had.

Their action may have been effected by the attitude that society had towards them. In Montana 1948, whites, war heroes, and respected people could control most things. The Indians were considered such low class people, and weren't allowed to speak up. At least they wouldn't be heard. They didn't have any power. David thought about Indians.

He saw Indians everywhere in his town. They were in school, grocery stores and so on. In his community, the Indians were mostly quite, and minded their own business. Only a small percentage of Indians acted out the stereotype of a drunk swaggering down the street.

To David, this behavior was more pathetic than dangerous. The people often judged Indians as no good, lazy and always drunk. But wasn't true. In David's dream, the Indians did nothing to revenge Marie's death. They didn't do anything physically, or verbally. To David, this wasn't fair.

He thought this was unnatural. He felt that they should have acted out their anger. This highlighted the Indian's place in society: mostly unheard and powerless. For the first time, David looked at the Indians as victims. In my opinion, it wasn't fair for them.

Where as the justice? In Montana 1948, the victim was a just an Indian. So it really didn't mater. According to the strange dream, the Indians were just standing on top of Circle Hill.

In the dream, David was asking why they didn't try to come down from the Hill and look for Marie's killer. His dream ended, and he fell completely asleep. after his thoughts. His dream was incomplete, so he didn't know the outcome of what the Indians did. I believe David wanted them to stand up and seek revenge or justice.

I feel this passage shows David's real thoughts as well as his frustrations. The passage also shows the contrast of how the majority puts a much higher value on their own lives compared to that of the minority group in their society. White people, especially those who are popular and well respected, had a strong influence in this society. This power could possibly change both people's minds as well as their morality. Since the community treated the Indians as low class citizens, they didn't have the venue or representation to speak up to, or against the Whites.

In essence, the powerful in Montana 1948 controlled and influenced justice..