Montana 1948

Hi, my names Chester, and my oral presentation is going to be on the book Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. I will be discussing prompt one, which is “Julian Hayden needed power... (He) drew strength from controlling others.” How does David’s grandfather dominate the novel of Montana 1948?

Throughout the novel of Montana 1948 Julian is depicted as a dominating person, who abuses his power as sheriff, to benefit himself. He drew strength from controlling others, and would not let his power leave the Hayden name. He asked his son, Wes, who was studying other professions, to be sheriff. Julian knew he would accept, as he knew Wes was seeking approval of him. He was a racist and used power or racism over justice. He dominated his wife, his family, and the citizens of Maycomb, thus, dominating the novel. He needed power for himself.

Julian Hayden’s character was always seeking power. “He wanted, he needed, power. Julian Hayden was a dominating man who drew substance and strength from controlling others.”(p.20) Julian Hayden, even after his retirement, wanted the power of the Maycomb county sheriff title to remain in the Hayden family name so that they would remain ‘the law’, handing it down to his son, Wes. Wes accepted his father’s offer, without question, even though he graduated from the university of North Dakota law school, and had the potential to study law and be an attorney; he still accepted his father’s offer, much to David’s mother, Gail’s dislike. Gail “who wanted her husband to be merely himself, and not a Hayden.” (p.21) and wanted her husband to remain studying law. Watson demonstrates Julian’s power, as he ‘convinces’ the title of sheriff to be handed down to his son, due to him being sheriff, abusing his power.

Wes sought approval from his father. His father favoured Frank. The typical man of the era went to WWII, a doctor, a respected man of the County. Julian, the person with the most power in the County did not seem to accept Wes as a son. This ultimately led to Wes being sheriff, as he only was seeking approval which seemed non-existent to him, though it was radiated off him when Frank was mentioned. Accepting to be sheriff did not benefit his family what so ever. Watson displays throughout the novel how Julian abused his power even in his own family.

Julian’s racism adds to his dominating nature. He did not like Indians, and was not afraid to show that he was prepared to use his so called ‘justice’. His justice, would most likely feed his need for power, and benefit the ‘white’ proportion of community. Julian believes he is cleverer than the Indians because he is white. Julian, upon finding out about the arrest of Frank, who did it and the accusations against Frank, is angered at Wes, and states “You don’t lock up a man for that. Your brother. A respected man. A war hero.”

) this also demonstrates his favouritism of sons. Julian thinks that because it was an Indian, it does not matter how bad the accusations, it is still an Indian. And should be treated like one. Watson, again, using the ‘typical’ man of 1948 and displaying how racism overpowered justice, through his character, Julian.

Julian did abuse his power; it is clearly demonstrated throughout the novel. Even through clear evidence, of his son’s crimes, he wanted him out, his prized son, his WWII, respected war hero. He demanded he be released, by his ‘lesser son’ Wes and was prepared to use lethal force to get Frank out of imprisonment. Some argue that Julian was not a racist in his time, as it was expected to presume Indians to be guilty, and he had the jurisdiction to do so. And the Hayden’s decision was final. Some say his judgements are correct and he should be ashamed to have a worthless son, such as Wes.

But here are the facts. Julian did abuse his power; he would use it sorely for his benefit or those close to him, and would not judge by evidence, but reputation and the pigment of your skin. The American Indians were no different to white people, and Watson shows that Julian knows this, though he does not care. Wes went by justice. He mostly made the right decisions, and does not follow his father’s racist attitude. Isn’t justice what sheriffs are supposed use?

Julian Hayden was a corrupt sheriff; though if Julian was corrupt, then most of the county should be considered corrupt. He should have been removed as sheriff by his peers, though the community was prejudiced against the Indians, and shared the same viewpoints as him. This, accompanied with his ‘power’ dominated the county, thus dominating the novel. Julian tried using lethal force against his own son’s family just to get out his ‘respected’ son, even though he knew he was guilty, admitting to him liking some of the ‘red meat’.

He wanted power to remain in his family, and he used it against his own son, Wes, who technically should have had the ‘power’ though he used the correct method, justice. Justice was non-existent in Julian’s head, and he wanted, he needed power. Because with power, comes self benefit. And Julian only cared about domination of his county and himself.