David Hayden
David Hayden, a 12 year old narrator, 52 before flashback. This novel was written from 1st person perspective. David lived in Bentrock, the only town in the region, holding less than 2,000 people. David is a very shy but serious young boy who was very curious as to what went on around him. He always wanted to grow up in the country, as he felt as though he lacked knowledge about living comfortably and unself-consciously here in Montana. He often spent his time outdoors away from the town, which he enjoyed most. David displays becoming of age as he was 12 years old and on the cusp of adolescence when everything around him began to change, and was basically forced to grow up. His life began to severely change after the incident with his baby sitter, Marie Little Soldier, whom he had a very strong bond with. David displays the theme becoming of age when he eavesdrops in on a conversation about the disgusting habits of Frank, which changed his views and mindset on life from a young age. David was a very sneaky boy who had to find out everything for himself by snooping around curiously and listening in on peoples conversations. His innocence was protected by his Mother; however he grew into a loyal adult who was protective over his family. As he grows up, he begins to realize how much evil exists in the world.
David Hayden, a 12 year old narrator, 52 before flashback. This novel was written from 1st person perspective. David lived in Bentrock, the only town in the region, holding less than 2,000 people. David is a very shy but serious young boy who was very curious as to what went on around him. He always wanted to grow up in the country, as he felt as though he lacked knowledge about living comfortably and unself-consciously here in Montana. He often spent his time outdoors away from the town, which he enjoyed most. David displays becoming of age as he was 12 years old and on the cusp of adolescence when everything around him began to change, and was basically forced to grow up. His life began to severely change after the incident with his baby sitter, Marie Little Soldier, whom he had a very strong bond with. David displays the theme becoming of age when he eavesdrops in on a conversation about the disgusting habits of Frank, which changed his views and mindset on life from a young age. David was a very sneaky boy who had to find out everything for himself by snooping around curiously and listening in on peoples conversations. His innocence was protected by his Mother; however he grew into a loyal adult who was protective over his family. As he grows up, he begins to realize how much evil exists in the world.
Marie Little Soldier
Marie little soldier was the house keeper and baby sitter of David Hayden whilst his Mother could not be home to attend him. She moved to Mercer County, Montana because her Mother married Frenchy, a male from the town. Marie is a 6 ft. tall, Hunkpapa Sioux Native, originally from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. Marie was a very strong, independent woman who loved to laugh and chat, and had a very special connection with David, as she was considered a part of the Hayden household. Marie was molested and murdered by Frank.
Marie little soldier was the house keeper and baby sitter of David Hayden whilst his Mother could not be home to attend him. She moved to Mercer County, Montana because her Mother married Frenchy, a male from the town. Marie is a 6 ft. tall, Hunkpapa Sioux Native, originally from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. Marie was a very strong, independent woman who loved to laugh and chat, and had a very special connection with David, as she was considered a part of the Hayden household. Marie was molested and murdered by Frank.
Gail Hayden
Gail is David’s Mother, and Wesley's wife. She was also a very strong woman who stood her ground, and did not let other people tell her what to do. If she knew she was right, she would stick up for herself and made sure her point was made. Gail did not want Wes to continue on with the role of being a sheriff. She wanted him to work in law and be himself, not a Hayden. Gail worked as a secretary at the Courthouse across the street from the Hayden home. Gail was very concerned about David’s values and always wanted to move back to North Dakota where David could be raised in a larger community. Gail is very religious and acted with strong values to show David what was best. She never really trusted Frank from the beginning, she said it was because of his charm, she was right from the beginning. Gail was not racist whatsoever and especially respected Marie. Gail grew sick of Montana and ended up leaving, which she wanted all along.
Gail is David’s Mother, and Wesley's wife. She was also a very strong woman who stood her ground, and did not let other people tell her what to do. If she knew she was right, she would stick up for herself and made sure her point was made. Gail did not want Wes to continue on with the role of being a sheriff. She wanted him to work in law and be himself, not a Hayden. Gail worked as a secretary at the Courthouse across the street from the Hayden home. Gail was very concerned about David’s values and always wanted to move back to North Dakota where David could be raised in a larger community. Gail is very religious and acted with strong values to show David what was best. She never really trusted Frank from the beginning, she said it was because of his charm, she was right from the beginning. Gail was not racist whatsoever and especially respected Marie. Gail grew sick of Montana and ended up leaving, which she wanted all along.
Wes Hayden
Wes is married to Gail, and is the Father of David. Wes was born in Mercer County, and moved to Bentrock with his parents and brother in the early twenties. He grew up on a cattle ranch outside Bentrock where his father served as the Town sheriff. When Wes was 16, he was kicked by a horse which left him with a permanent limp. Wes began studying law, but instead he wanted to continue on with the Family name and be a Hayden, partly because he felt as though he could not reject his father’s offer. He was the shadow of his brother Frank, and was seen as more of a reject child out of the two sons. Frank was very aware of this however he did not let it bother him nor get to him. Wes as well is quite racist and does not respect Indian women, apart from Marie whom he considered a part of the family.
Wes is married to Gail, and is the Father of David. Wes was born in Mercer County, and moved to Bentrock with his parents and brother in the early twenties. He grew up on a cattle ranch outside Bentrock where his father served as the Town sheriff. When Wes was 16, he was kicked by a horse which left him with a permanent limp. Wes began studying law, but instead he wanted to continue on with the Family name and be a Hayden, partly because he felt as though he could not reject his father’s offer. He was the shadow of his brother Frank, and was seen as more of a reject child out of the two sons. Frank was very aware of this however he did not let it bother him nor get to him. Wes as well is quite racist and does not respect Indian women, apart from Marie whom he considered a part of the family.
Julian Hayden
Julian Hayden is the father of Wes and Frank. He was a very authoritarian character and had a lot of power. He was the town sheriff for a long time which is how he gained popularity and wealth. He enjoyed being the control figure and liked having power over others. Julian always wanted Wes to be sheriff and keep power in the Hayden family; however he particularly favored franks athletic ability, charm and his label of being a war hero. He was very racist towards the Indians and in general was a very rude, sarcastic person. His dude ranch explains him as he liked to show his power and enjoyed it. He is a stereotypical western cowboy. He was quite loyal towards his family, thinking that family is more important than following justice.
Julian Hayden is the father of Wes and Frank. He was a very authoritarian character and had a lot of power. He was the town sheriff for a long time which is how he gained popularity and wealth. He enjoyed being the control figure and liked having power over others. Julian always wanted Wes to be sheriff and keep power in the Hayden family; however he particularly favored franks athletic ability, charm and his label of being a war hero. He was very racist towards the Indians and in general was a very rude, sarcastic person. His dude ranch explains him as he liked to show his power and enjoyed it. He is a stereotypical western cowboy. He was quite loyal towards his family, thinking that family is more important than following justice.
Frank Hayden
Frank Hayden is David’s uncle, Wesley’s Brother, and Julian’s son. He was considered a war hero, witty, charming, and was a trained doctor. However by the end of the film was known as a selfish, evil, Indian molesting human being. At the start of the book he was a charming man who David looked up to as an inspiration. Frank was also very racist and had no respect for Indian women whatsoever. He took advantage of these women which he knew could not stick up for themselves, as he knew anyone would have his word over an Indian women. He was married to Gloria, his beautiful wife; however they did not conceive children. Frank was Julian’s favourite son as he was the star athlete in college and had a good job. In the end Frank was found dead, he committed suicide.
Frank Hayden is David’s uncle, Wesley’s Brother, and Julian’s son. He was considered a war hero, witty, charming, and was a trained doctor. However by the end of the film was known as a selfish, evil, Indian molesting human being. At the start of the book he was a charming man who David looked up to as an inspiration. Frank was also very racist and had no respect for Indian women whatsoever. He took advantage of these women which he knew could not stick up for themselves, as he knew anyone would have his word over an Indian women. He was married to Gloria, his beautiful wife; however they did not conceive children. Frank was Julian’s favourite son as he was the star athlete in college and had a good job. In the end Frank was found dead, he committed suicide.
Len McAuley
Len is the Deputy Sheriff of Bentrock. He was a very respected man whom he and Julian shared a very close relationship. Len turned to alcohol and had trouble with drinking, resulting in being an alcoholic. Len is married to Daisy. Len used to be deputy to Julian, however is now deputy to Wesley. Len was thought to be in love with Gail, and was there to protect the family whenever in need. Wesley trusted Len and was reliant on him if the family was ever in danger. Len knew more to the story of Frank than David and Wesley knew, however he also stayed loyal and told Wesley what was best for him.
Len is the Deputy Sheriff of Bentrock. He was a very respected man whom he and Julian shared a very close relationship. Len turned to alcohol and had trouble with drinking, resulting in being an alcoholic. Len is married to Daisy. Len used to be deputy to Julian, however is now deputy to Wesley. Len was thought to be in love with Gail, and was there to protect the family whenever in need. Wesley trusted Len and was reliant on him if the family was ever in danger. Len knew more to the story of Frank than David and Wesley knew, however he also stayed loyal and told Wesley what was best for him.
Gloria Hayden
Gloria Hayden is Franks wife. She is not a major character in the novel however she is considered very beautiful according to David. She is a petite women from Minnesota who has to put up with the mistakes that Frank made. However she moved out of Bentrock and remarried.
Gloria Hayden is Franks wife. She is not a major character in the novel however she is considered very beautiful according to David. She is a petite women from Minnesota who has to put up with the mistakes that Frank made. However she moved out of Bentrock and remarried.
Enid Hayden
Enid Hayden is also another a character who is not as important throughout the novel. She is married to Julian and is described as a very thin, nervous women who is fragile and does not allow bad things to be said when she is around. Julian has a lot of power over her, by not considering speaking when Julian was present.
Enid Hayden is also another a character who is not as important throughout the novel. She is married to Julian and is described as a very thin, nervous women who is fragile and does not allow bad things to be said when she is around. Julian has a lot of power over her, by not considering speaking when Julian was present.