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Describe at least one idea that was worth learning about in the text/s.
Explain why the idea was worth learning about in the text/s as a whole.
Larry Watsons Montana 1948 features a small town Bentrock where racism is so deeply
embedded it affects all aspects of society. Watson explores the fallout when a privileged
white member of society us exposed as a sexual deviant and murderer. The seemingly
upright good fold of Bentrock are guilty of gross moral failure due to their racist beliefs.
This idea is worth learning about because Watson shows that once an idea is instilled,
it becomes very hard to stop.
Watson explores the intergenerational nature of racism that is passed down from
generation to generation and makes it seem to be that of no consequence. David
Hayden, a young twelve-year-old boy, is given a pair of moccasins for his birthday. His
father Wesley the town sheriff, refuses to allow his son to wear them by saying "Hell
wear those and hell be as flat footed and lazy as an Indian. Watson now reveals how
Wesley associates and item of clothing worn by the native American-Indians with
negative traits that he then labels all natives by. This idea is worth learning about
because as a result of this nature of racism being exposed to young David, it is
expected that he will accept this without judgement or question. Watson also reveals
extremely racist and sexist beliefs around women. When Julian Hayden, Wesleys father
hears of his son Franks sexual conquest of the woman on the reservation, he dismisses
it by saying Franks always been partial to red meat. This deeply ugly and racist
comment shows how they see woman as non-human, merely meat. The usage of the
word red is the cross-identifier of being a native American-Indian. This father
condones his father actions and he too, sees woman as meat to be consumed. That is
that they have no other value than to be used.
Watson reveals the institutional racism that is deeply embedded within the Bentrock
authorities. Len McCauley, Deputy town Sheriff, explains to young David what his
Grandfather Julian told him what it means to be peacekeeper in Bentrock. Its knowing
when to look and when to look away. Your father hasnt quote got the hang of it. Not
just yet. The author now highlights the pervasive nature of racism embedded within
the Bentrock justice department. Because it is Len that is saying this to young David,
he will not only see this as a teaching, but also as the law which everyone must
conform to. This ideas is important because Franks obligation to the community as a
doctor is to heal and not harm, however, when he found guilty of taking sexual
advantage of his profession, this obligation is broken. Again Watson highlights the
pervasive nature of racism in the authorities because Franks does this only to the
Native American Indian girls, no one cares so he is bale to get away with it.
As a result of his deeply embedded racism in Bentrock, the native American-Indians are
denied justice. Wesley is seen by society as a good sheriff who does his job well,
however, it is not until Frans crimes of rape and murder are exposed to the wider
community that Wesley finally arrests him youve turned my laundry room into a jail!
this is worth learning about because Watson shows that even though Wesley has done
the right thing by arresting Frank, this is a half-cocked version of justice. After Franks
suicide, Watson shows how the white people of Bentrock are only concerned with
themselves and not the justice of the American-Indians It was decide never to reveal
any of Franks crimes. What purpose would it serve? the question what purpose would
it serve exposes the racism within White Bentrock. They think that because Frank is
dead, the matter is finished with, but this is only from a white perspective. the purpose
it would serve would be to give American Indians justice. By doing this, they have
denied the natives natural justice and show that they will never be able to achieve any

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form of justice in Bentrock. Watson shows that the justice of the natives does not mean
anything in the wider sense.
Larry Watsons Montana 1948 features small town Bentrock where racism deeply
entrenched it affects all aspects of society. It is ironic that in Wesley and Davids pursuit
of doing the right thing for the benefit of the community, they are denying the
American Indians justices. This idea is worth learning about because Watson shows us
that the decisions and actions made by the white people and community of Bentrock
leave the natives voiceless and powerless.