Throughout the novel Montana 1948, racism is the main theme, showing how strongly it played its part in society back in 1948.
Certain people such as Julian, Frank and Wes were very racist, as well as the general community of Montana. Throughout the community of Montana, Racism is blatantly obvious. As some people were aware of Frank’s actions with Indian women, the community was prejudiced against Indians as people ignored what was going on between Frank and the women. It was interpreted that all of the Indians were ignorant, so how could they know what a doctor is supposed to do when examining them?
At the time of Marie's check up by Frank, he claimed that “A doctor comes and they think he’s some evil spirit or something” Stated on page 42 after examining Marie, showing that Frank has a stereotypical image of an Indian in his head. He despised Indians and thinks that they are socially out of place.
Through The characters of Frank and Julian Hayden, we see that abuse of power leads to the exploitation of all Indian women, ending in tragic results for the murder of Marie, and also the Hayden family, whose relationship was shattered. Racism is shown as a function of ignorance and misunderstanding with Julian Hayden showing a prime example. He believes he is smarter than the Indians purely because he is white. He refers to the Sioux as ‘red meat’ and talks down upon them inhumanely. Julian is very disrespectful towards the Indian community and does not even take into consideration the rude things he has to say. Julian’s racial behavior is also highlighted by his crude nature, his body language and his frequent use of foul language. Indians were considered less than people. Julian quoted “Screwing an Indian…You don’t lock up a man for that” (p.35.) The main idea is that because he did it to an Indian, that it is not a crime.
Frank uses the prejudice of the community to support his own evil satisfactions. He abuses his position of being a doctor, however he knows that the community will take his word rather than an Indian women’s word. Once it had been revealed that Frank had been sexually harassing poor Indian females, it proved that they were looked down upon and they did not tend to stick up for themselves because it seemed as though they did not have the right to do so.
Wesley probably believed he was free of prejudice; however throughout the novel he makes many subtle expressions of prejudice behavior. Wes stops David from wearing moccasins shoes as he believes that they would make his son “as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian.” (P.34). David mentions that his father believes that Indians with only a few exceptions were, “ignorant, lazy, superstitious and irresponsible”. David states that his father dislikes Indians, and that he simply held them in low regard. Although Wes did not like Indians and said racial remarks about them, he would never have been disrespectful face to face. David said he learnt about his Fathers racism when he was 7 or 8. Because David was very close to Marie, he did not have anything racial to say about Indians, however he did not defend his Father. David didn't agree with any of his Fathers accusations, but he stands up for Marie, however not for the Indian Race.
Gloria and Gail, the wives of Wesley and Frank are the only two white people in the novel free from prejudice against indigenous people. However Frank, Julian and Wes are not the only racist characters in the town of Montana. The whole white community of Montana has more authority over the indigenous , and look down upon them. They are greatly misunderstood; however they do not have any power or will to stick up for themselves.
Certain people such as Julian, Frank and Wes were very racist, as well as the general community of Montana. Throughout the community of Montana, Racism is blatantly obvious. As some people were aware of Frank’s actions with Indian women, the community was prejudiced against Indians as people ignored what was going on between Frank and the women. It was interpreted that all of the Indians were ignorant, so how could they know what a doctor is supposed to do when examining them?
At the time of Marie's check up by Frank, he claimed that “A doctor comes and they think he’s some evil spirit or something” Stated on page 42 after examining Marie, showing that Frank has a stereotypical image of an Indian in his head. He despised Indians and thinks that they are socially out of place.
Through The characters of Frank and Julian Hayden, we see that abuse of power leads to the exploitation of all Indian women, ending in tragic results for the murder of Marie, and also the Hayden family, whose relationship was shattered. Racism is shown as a function of ignorance and misunderstanding with Julian Hayden showing a prime example. He believes he is smarter than the Indians purely because he is white. He refers to the Sioux as ‘red meat’ and talks down upon them inhumanely. Julian is very disrespectful towards the Indian community and does not even take into consideration the rude things he has to say. Julian’s racial behavior is also highlighted by his crude nature, his body language and his frequent use of foul language. Indians were considered less than people. Julian quoted “Screwing an Indian…You don’t lock up a man for that” (p.35.) The main idea is that because he did it to an Indian, that it is not a crime.
Frank uses the prejudice of the community to support his own evil satisfactions. He abuses his position of being a doctor, however he knows that the community will take his word rather than an Indian women’s word. Once it had been revealed that Frank had been sexually harassing poor Indian females, it proved that they were looked down upon and they did not tend to stick up for themselves because it seemed as though they did not have the right to do so.
Wesley probably believed he was free of prejudice; however throughout the novel he makes many subtle expressions of prejudice behavior. Wes stops David from wearing moccasins shoes as he believes that they would make his son “as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian.” (P.34). David mentions that his father believes that Indians with only a few exceptions were, “ignorant, lazy, superstitious and irresponsible”. David states that his father dislikes Indians, and that he simply held them in low regard. Although Wes did not like Indians and said racial remarks about them, he would never have been disrespectful face to face. David said he learnt about his Fathers racism when he was 7 or 8. Because David was very close to Marie, he did not have anything racial to say about Indians, however he did not defend his Father. David didn't agree with any of his Fathers accusations, but he stands up for Marie, however not for the Indian Race.
Gloria and Gail, the wives of Wesley and Frank are the only two white people in the novel free from prejudice against indigenous people. However Frank, Julian and Wes are not the only racist characters in the town of Montana. The whole white community of Montana has more authority over the indigenous , and look down upon them. They are greatly misunderstood; however they do not have any power or will to stick up for themselves.
Racial Quotes stated in the novel.
-"She's an Indian, Why would she tell the truth? (p.46)
-"Frank said maybe he'd do a little dance around the bed. And if that doesn't work he'll try beating some drums." (p.35)
-"What the hell am I supposed to think? Screwing an Indian. Or feeling her up or whatever. You don't lock up a man for that. (p.35)
-"I don't care. I tell you, if you could hear hi talk. As if he had no concern fr what he did than if.. if he had kicked a dog. No. He'd show more remorse over a dog." (p.150)
-"He wears those and soon he'll be as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian" (p.34)