Montana 1948 Character Analysis

580 Words3 Pages
In Montana 1948, By Larry Watson, Wes matures by coming to terms with his Brother Frank’s Crime. While Wes knew his brother’s guilt from the beginning, it took Marie’s murder to drive him to action. Instead of crumbling under the pressure of his brother’s guilt, Wes rises to the challenge and becomes one of the strongest characters in the book. In the beginning of the book, Wes doesn’t take advantage of the position of headship he has with the law. He starts out not using his authority for the position as sheriff as a role in leadership: “As long as my father was going to be sheriff, a position with so much potential for excitement, anger, and bravery, why couldn’t some of that promise be fulfilled?” (5). Wes was very modest and humble…show more content…
Even though his own brother committed the sin, he knew it was wrong no matter who it was: "Maybe a jury will cut him loose. I wont. By god I wont” (143). Knowing most of Wes’s family is against the fact that Frank should not be punished; Wes puts his emotional feelings aside and grows up. Just by one fault by the closest man in his life, Wes realizes he has changed in better ways as things have gotten more complicated: “ My father stood for moral absolution ” (144). Thinking how Wes was in the beginning of the summer in 1948, he finally grasps the understanding what is right and wrong. Throughout the summer of Montana in 1948, Wes starts off as reserved and resistant towards his job as sheriff and doesn’t think about the real issues with his brother. Wes’s job is like a role model for people who want to stand up for what they believe in and Wes started out doing the exact opposite of that. After seeing Uncle Frank not deal with his situation, Wes grasps the concept of control and leadership towards the state of affair. As a result of Wes’s ethical decision, he matures not only himself, but helps others throughout the family’s tough
Open Document