One of the indicators of an outstanding work of literature is the author's use of symbols. In Part Two of Montana 1948, Watson presents several symbols. Among them are Julian Hayden's log house, the magpie that David kills, the coyote mentioned in Marie's final words to David, and the reverie that David has of the Native Americans walking up Circle Hill. Select one of these images and discuss what you feel it symbolizes and how it adds to the story's plot, characterization, and theme. CATCH: You must comment on what the person prior to you has said, but you may not focus on that symbol. You must move the discussion to another symbol. I will begin the discussion. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Monday, March 25, 2013)
One of the indicators of an outstanding work of literature is the author's use of symbols. In Part Two of Montana 1948, Watson presents several symbols. Among them are Julian Hayden's log house, the magpie that David kills, the coyote mentioned in Marie's final words to David, and the reverie that David has of the Native Americans walking up Circle Hill. Select one of these images and discuss what you feel it symbolizes and how it adds to the story's plot, characterization, and theme. CATCH: You must comment on what the person prior to you has said, but you may not focus on that symbol. You must move the discussion to another symbol. I will begin the discussion. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Monday, March 25, 2013)
9 comments:
In Part Two, just as Mrs. Palombo mentioned, the scene in which David dreams of the Sioux gathering on Circle Hill, I also believe to be a strong symbol in the novel. I believe it shows how David was different from his father in that he is aware of the oppresion felt by the Indians and that he knows that they are just like the white men when he mentions that they are dressed in simple clothes. The symbol that I found to be prevelant in Part Two, however, was when David was out shoting his grandfather's gun and he kills the magpie. After he knows that it is dead, David expresses how much better he feels. I believe that this symbolizes a part of David's innocence dying because he is learning the truth of his Uncle Frank, but that it could also symbolize how the lose of his uncle might make everyone feel better because he has caused such a strain on the family and community.
As you know, when I read, words control me so tremendously that I am submerged by their power. The symbol in the Part Two that took by breath away was David's dream of the Sioux gathering on Circle Hill. Dreams are nothing more than our subconscience revealing itself, and in David's dream, he sees Indians from the Reservation climbing Circle Hill to mourn Marie. David is afraid that the Indians might seek revenge on the people of Bentrock. Really, this implicitly refers to the tragedy of the American Indians. They are the oppressed minority and are unable to seek the justice they deserve. David sees them dressed like ordinary people – having lost their rich heritage. They are not ready to come down to the town with war cries as in the movies, but are just ‘milling about’. They are impotent in bringing about any justice for Marie or themselves. They have no one to fight for them and cannot fight for themselves. This dream symbolizes not only their victimization, but David's realization that someone, perhaps he, has an obligation to provide them with justice. By having David dream of social responsibility, Watson is showing the metamorphosis of David's character from a child living in a world of "the Wild West" to a man living in a world of injustice, prejudice, and deliberate cruelty. Watson is indicating the need for those who can to do for those that can't do for themselves.
Please note that my comment was originally posted before Laura's. Somehow it has now moved below. The next person that posts should comment on Laura's statement, not mine. Technology!
The symbol Laura mentioned is the killing of he magpie, an I believe that it does symbolizes the cruelty of Uncle Frank's action as well as David's feelings toward the life of Montanans. When he kills the magpie, he feels excited and scared. Because of his feelings, David is knows it is wrong to kill animals, yet he knows it is wrong unlike Uncle Frank. Also, another symbol in part two is Jullian Hayden's log house. His house symbolizes how they Hayden's believe they are better than everyone else, and hey can they believe they care get away with anything; Uncle Frank thinks he will get away with the horrible crime he has committed. Also, the Hayden's want everyone to know that the run Bentrock.
I agree that the Julian Hayden's house symbolizes the power he has over Bentrock. It also symbolizes that the Haydens believe they are better than everyone else and can get away with whatever they want. Another symbol in Part Two is when Marie tells David that its hard to see a coyote when you look for him. This symbolizes that it is hard to find evil in something if you are looking for it, but if you are not, it just appears. This is a symbolizes what is happening with Uncle Frank.
I agree that the coyote symbolizes evil. In that way, it symbolizes Uncle Frank and that is why Marie mentions it. Frank hides who he truly is behind his charming personality. Another symbol is the reverie. This dream reveals that David thinks Indians are people like him and need to be treated as such. He thinks they are going to come back and get revenge on the people who caused them pain. During this dream, David feels like it is his responsibility to help them. He is becoming a man, but not one like his father or uncle. He is willing to help anyone that needs him.
I agree the dream about the Indians symbolizes the fact that David knows the pain that the Indian people have felt throughout their lives. Another symbol in part two that is very important in the development of the book is that of Julian’s log cabin is a symbol of the Wild West. Wes mentions in the book that it is the typical easterners Idea of a dude ranch. It also is a very large cabin it is large enough for privacy for one to hide stuff in. this shows that the Hayden family has secrets in its house.
3950I agree that the log cabin is a symbol of the Wild West and that it is last in the fact that it can hide many secrets and things a family would not want the public to know. Also, it symbolizes the pieces of a family. The cabin could not stand without all the logs in place. If one log falls, the whole cabin is weaker and may fall as well. When one piece diminishes in a family such as Frank, then the whole family also becomes weaker. The magpie is also a great symbol. It shows that David is looking for some way to cope with the fact that his uncle is a corrupt man. After shooting the magpie, he feels better.
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