Julian rules the family like he rules Mercer County, self-interestingly and harsh. The Hayden family got along well and peacefully, as long as everyone obeyed Julian and did what he wanted. Julian held the family together, forcing them to go somewhere and have a figure of power, Frank as doctor, and Wes as town sheriff. However, Julian tried to protect his favored son Frank from his shadow, Wes, whose job as a sheriff took his sense of loyalty to his family.
Wes, Gail and David share a strong family bond. Wes and Gail teach David and work together in their own ways to do what is right, and to teach him from right and wrong. Wes allows David to have his own space and be a boy, letting him go out and wonder the wilderness with a gun by his side. Whereas Gail protects him from adulthood, and tried to have a civilizing effect on him to keep him from going wild, protecting his innocence. After the traumatic events during summer 1948, David still managed to grow into a loyal person, as he had the support and love of his family. David hears a majority of the story about his Uncle David by eavesdropping. Even though David is forced to quickly grow up, he still lacked the understanding of an adult. He was forced to leave his childhood behind by not fully understanding what Frank did, and what it meant. By not being able to discuss it or relieve any of his own pain to others, he was thrust into adulthood.
Responsibility
Wes is torn between doing the right thing by law, and being loyal to his family. Wes is willing to ‘let things go’ many times throughout the novel when Frank agrees to stop molesting Indian women, purely because he wanted to stay loyal to the family, and keep the peace and strong connection the family shares. Growing up with Frank, Wes does owe a lot to him and thinks it would be the wrong thing to do if he reports his brother. However, he feels as though it is the wrong thing to do. Wes should be respected in his fight for justice because he suffers in losing his family as he follows the law and his conscience.
Wes, Gail and David share a strong family bond. Wes and Gail teach David and work together in their own ways to do what is right, and to teach him from right and wrong. Wes allows David to have his own space and be a boy, letting him go out and wonder the wilderness with a gun by his side. Whereas Gail protects him from adulthood, and tried to have a civilizing effect on him to keep him from going wild, protecting his innocence. After the traumatic events during summer 1948, David still managed to grow into a loyal person, as he had the support and love of his family. David hears a majority of the story about his Uncle David by eavesdropping. Even though David is forced to quickly grow up, he still lacked the understanding of an adult. He was forced to leave his childhood behind by not fully understanding what Frank did, and what it meant. By not being able to discuss it or relieve any of his own pain to others, he was thrust into adulthood.
Responsibility
Wes is torn between doing the right thing by law, and being loyal to his family. Wes is willing to ‘let things go’ many times throughout the novel when Frank agrees to stop molesting Indian women, purely because he wanted to stay loyal to the family, and keep the peace and strong connection the family shares. Growing up with Frank, Wes does owe a lot to him and thinks it would be the wrong thing to do if he reports his brother. However, he feels as though it is the wrong thing to do. Wes should be respected in his fight for justice because he suffers in losing his family as he follows the law and his conscience.