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. Remember to put your name under your comment. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.)
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. Remember to put your name under your comment. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.)
6 comments:
You will soon learn that when I read, words control me so tremendously that I am submerged by their power. The symbol in the Part Two that took my breath away was David's dream of the Sioux gathering on Circle Hill. Dreams are nothing more than our subconscious mind 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 uses this dream to symbolize the need of action. Those who can take a stand must stand, walk, and run for those who can't.
While i agree with most of what Mrs. Palombo says, i believe that the dream just represents what David hopes the Indians will do. But the symbol that stood out the most to me was Julian's log house. The house not only shows Davids grandpa's interest in hunting, but also how it is practically a landmark to the town. This is where their sheriff lived and raised two of the towns top officials, one a war hero and doctor, the other the sheriff. The seclusion of the house from the rest of the town also shows how the scandal between Frank and the Indian women was able to start unknown to the town and able to be hidden for all that time.
Travis Stennett
I agree with Travis about the Hayden's log house. The location did make it a place where his father could hide Franks situations with Indian girls without being ashamed and the whole town knowing. The symbol that made me think the most was the magpie. I believe that the magpie symbolizes how the Hayden's lives were before they figured out and heard about what Frank did to the Indian girls. Then how it may have been after the whole town knew about the situation. I think this because David tells us when he covers up the magpie with dirt it "dulls the sheen of its feathers." Maybe helping to explain how there lives were shinning and great, but then Franks situation dulled the Hayden's shine. This symbol can also be forshafowing Marie's death.
Jenna Anderson
I believe Jenna is right about the magpie symbolizing "how their lives were shining and great, but then Frank's situation dulled the Hayden's shine," but I also think the magpie could symbolize truth. David feels "strangely calm" after he shoots the magpie. Since I believe the magpie symbolizes truth, I believe David feels calm because he has killed, or denied, the truth. After he killed the magpie he covered it up, much like one does the truth when one is in denial. I believe this foreshadows that Wesley will try to cover up Frank's wrong doings and try to deny the truth in the future.
Jacki McDunnah
I agree with Jenna about how the magpie foreshadows Marie's death because the way David describes the bird reminded me of how he described Marie. Marie's last words were definitely the most powerful symbol that stood out to me. She says "And did you see a coyote? He's hard to see when you look for him." She's talking about Dr. Hayden and I think it means that he's covering it up and so it's harder to catch him. Maybe she means it's going to be harder to stop him than they believe. I also got the feeling it is foreshadowing David seeing Dr. Hayden leaving his house later in the book before Marie does. He wasn't looking for him and there he was where he least expected him to be.
Holly McKenzie
I agree with Holly, Frank Hayden is like a coyote. I beleive though that the Native Americans are going to seek revenge. Being that they are doing thst ritual on the hill they mihht get vengence on Marie's death if the sheriff,Frank Hayden's brother, does not do what needs to be done. That is my prediciton.
Tyler Trahan
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