Montana 1948- Loss of Innocence

The novel “Montana 1948” written by Larry Watson portrays a series of tragic events, which were to have a permanent and decisive impact on David and his parents. The author has specifically adopted the persona of a young child, in order to portray the universal theme of innocence. By using first person point of view he is able to recall on such significant events in his life, through the eyes of a child. As the story unfolds, David’s young life is turned upside down forever, which angrily leads him out of childhood. In the process, his innocence and youthful naivety is destroyed but his shocking revelations lead to his painful gaining of wisdom. David is confronted with morality, and must choose between his loving father and a devoted Uncle Frank.
At the start of the story, readers learn that David leads a happy and stable life, with his parents close and loving. The author has purposely constructed David’s parents to protect his innocence, as they try to conceal Frank’s crime. However, David's view of life dramatically starts to change through the eavesdropping of his mother and father's conversation regarding Frank's behavior towards Marie Little Soldier, their housekeeper. As a member of the underprivileged and discriminated Indian indigenous race, this construction is made significant as it forms the representation of the American Indians during 1948. David learns that they have no power or influence in society. Due to the stability of his family, combined with the respect Uncle Frank has held with the townspeople and David, the events which occurred so suddenly, came as destructive and shocking for David. This event portrays a young boy stepping into the adult world by ‘overhearing’ what is turning his world upside down.
David discovers the complex world of adult morality and immorality after Marie was sexually assaulted, raped and found dead a few days after Frank goes in to see her. David reveals the fact that he saw Frank walking into David’s house a