Montana 1948 is an examination of one boy’s transformation from a world of innocence into one of experience and awareness. Through the conflicts of the adults who surround him, David comes to realize that the idyllic world he believed in as a child is a fantasy that doesn’t exist. He comes to understand that adults are deeply flawed, even the ones who serve in roles which are traditionally recognized to serve and protect. His uncle, Frank, the town physician, is a celebrated war hero and a respected member of the community. However, young David comes to realize that Frank takes advantage of his position to sexually abuse the Native American women in their town. These women are so dehumanized by the White citizens that they suffer quietly, afraid to speak up.

Julian Hayden, David’s grandfather, has served numerous terms as the sheriff of the town, yet he seeks to protect his family’s reputation—especially that of his son Frank—over the truth and justice. Julian has realized for many years that Frank likely commits sexual crimes against the Native American women in their town, yet he says nothing about this behavior and only hopes that his grandchildren will be White. In a particularly vulgar reference, he compares these victims to “red meat,” dehumanizing them and overlooking his son’s predatory tendencies.

David is particularly moved into a new and broader awareness through his love for Marie. He loves her deeply because she is authentic with him. She laughs when she talks to him and tells him “outrageous lies” to encourage a sense of wonder. Marie truly cares for David, and he understands that she is genuine. Marie’s death is a turning point in David’s understanding of justice. Her death hangs heavily upon him because he realizes that Frank likely killed this woman who possessed such a nurturing spirit. And this realization strips away all he has ever known about the men in his life who have served the law under the pretense of justice. If there is no justice for Marie, there is no justice anywhere.

While his parents keep Frank locked in their basement, David is caught in a limbo between the world of true justice and that of family allegiances, which values security and reputation over evidence and truth. In retrospect, the adult David reflects that “when I think now of how calm we all looked, how natural and domestic this scene was, I find it more disturbing than if we had been crawling around on our hands and knees, howling like wild dogs.” Yet calmly they waited, with Frank confined indefinitely, their lives held in suspense as David’s father, Wesley, allowed justice to be suspended as well.

There is a mixed sense of justice in Frank’s death. David is relieved that the conflict with his grandfather is instantly abated, yet there is a distinct sense of unresolved justice for Marie and all of the other women whom Frank sexually abused. While Frank won’t be around to further torment them, there is no true closure for his crimes. He dies, choosing the time and method himself, whereas Marie is allowed no such mercy. Her protests against her doctor are largely unheard, and her final moments are likely filled with terror. Nonetheless, Julian perseveres to maintain Frank’s sense of honor, and Frank’s crimes are never revealed to the community at large. He is buried without scandal and is reverently eulogized, the minister expressing his own sense of bafflement over how such a promising life could have been so inexplicably cut short. The sad irony is that Frank cut short the life of...