Montana 1948 by Larry Watson Book Analysis

What would people do if they had to choose between family loyalty or justice? On one hand you know someone is in the wrong but on the other hand you should tell someone about what they did wrong. In the book Montana 1948 by Larry Watson, Watson goes into how Wesley is tied between family loyalty and justice. Wes is a police officer. Wes and his family are going through a rough situation with loyalty and justice. 

In Montana 1948, Larry Watson uses the characterization of Wesley to prove family loyalty forces people to choose sides during difficult situations. Wesley demonstrates his unwavering family loyalty when he is first being told about Frank's actions of abuse towards Native American women. Gail is informed that Frank sexually assaults Native Americans from Marie. Marie has been sexually assaulted by Frank before and decided to speak up about the harassment. Gail informs Wesley about his brother's inappropriate actions. Wes can’t imagine his brother assaulting Native Americans so Wesley quickly responds to, “‘I didn’t say she was lying. Maybe she’s got it simply got it wrong. An examination by a doctor. . . . Maybe she doesn’t know what’s supposed to go on” (Watson 34). Wesley is telling Gail how Marie is mistaking Marie with regular check ups to assault. When Wesley says “maybe she’s simply got it wrong” he shows that fathom the fact Frank could do such a thing. Wes is trying to protect his brother by making excuses for Frank. Wesley shows that family means the world to him. As Gail and Wesley put David to bed David can see the pain his father is in. David reveals how, “...the pain he must have been in constantly, and the pain seemed strangely to connect with the anguish he felt over his brother” (Watson 92). Wesley is conflicted with his brother. On one hand he loves his brother and family is everything to him but on the other hand he does not like the actions his brother does. David could tell “the anguish he felt over his brother” meaning he could see how confused Wes was over the situation. Wesley is showing how family means everything to him but being put in a rough situation can cause conflict. 

Wesley now understands that justice is more important than family. Wesley asked Frank to help him downstairs for a project. Soon after he arrested Frank. Wesley is telling David and Gail that he arrested Frank and is keeping him in the basement. Wesley is now explaining to them why he has Frank in the basement under arrest and says, “My brother — your uncle — has run afoul of law. I had to arrest him. You understand that, don’t you? That I had no choice? (Watson 102)  Wesley has a change in his mind set. He tells David “I had to arrest him.” By Wesley saying the word “had” in the sentence, Wes shows that he knows that Frank has done something more than sexually assault a client, he killed Marie. Wes also says “I had no choice” meaning that's what the law says he has to do because it’s his job. Wesley also knows he needs to serve justice to Marie even though Frank is his brother. Later Julian Wesley's dad wanted to meet up with the family. Julian proceeds to ask where Frank went. Once Wesley explains where Frank is and that he arrested him Julian gets angry. Julian tells Wes that Frank is his brother and you don’t arrest family. Wes goes on to say, “‘this isn’t about family,” my father said. “This is a legal matter” (Watson 180). Wesley is telling his dad that in this case family doesn’t matter at the moment. He tells his dad “this isn’t about family.” By Wesley saying this he is showing how before family no matter what was the most important but now he is understanding that Marie’s death caused by Frank was more important to give Marie and her family justice. Wesley also says “this is a legal matter.” Wes is telling his dad that no matter what, what Frank did was wrong and should get charged for his crime. 

Wesley has been challenged by trying to choose between his family or justice. Wesley shows how people no matter who has done something morally wrong should get the consequences they deserve.