Montana 1948 Narrator Structure

Who is a Protagonist Antagonist

Narrator Montana 1948 is narrated by its protagonist; the twelve year old, David Hayden. Thus, the novelist uses first-person narrator. This narration is presented as a reflective account from an adult looking back at the impact of a critical year in his life. (How do we identify the first-person narration?) This strategy allows the author to establish a first-hand, reliable account by the protagonist. Think: Does David filter the story? Does he impress his own views of people and events on the reader? (answer in your notebook)

The Adult Narrator We hear most of the story from 12 year old David. The adult narrator only intrudes, usually at crucial points of the story, to point out how some things might have been different. Find quotes that highlight adult David’s viewpoint. What difference does it make when the adult narrator speaks to the reader? Does it provide more insight into the plot? Is there a shift in perspective evident from young David to adult David? What if the adult narrator was altogether missing? What effect would it have on the depth of the story?

Understanding the narrator task Read Page 83-84 “I figured my father……shoulders almost touching.” What is the evidence that the protagonist is recalling these events from his childhood? With which character does the sympathy of the reader rest and why? Why has the author chosen to present this incident from this perspective?

Structure Define a -Prologue -Epilogue

Structure The novel opens with a prologue, which foreshadows the action. It closes with an epilogue in which the adult narrator summarises the aftermath of the summer of 1948.

How many parts is the novel divided in? There are no chapter divisions in the more or less equal three parts of the novel. These self contained parts mark the progression of events. Read the end of each part and notice on what point each part ends. Does something crucial mark the end of each part? In your notebooks write what happens at the end of each part.

The three main sections also mark the stages in David’s loss of childhood innocence, which is linked with disillusionment and loss of faith in adults. Most of the events are unfolded in chronological order, but not all e.g. David witnesses Uncle Frank’s visit to the house at the time of Marie’s death, but this is only revealed later. What is the effect of this?

Prologue It establishes the drama, the authority of the narrator, and Watson’s mastery over language.

Epilogue Helps us to understand not only the effects on other characters but also how the events of that summer affected David. It tells the tale of an irreparably harmed adult.

Internal structure Short episodes are interlinked e.g. pp.66-82 section two comment on masculine toughness and uncle Frank’s preference for Indian women . It then shows David’s own growing sexual awareness- one delicate and the other linked with violence. Consider the effects of juxtaposition.

Flashbacks These provide a very economical retelling of the events as they are focused on the most important incidents, on significant character responses and on important changes in attitudes.

Homework Write a minimum of 3 paragraphs in response to the following essay question. Make sure you use: TEEL for each paragraph. Examples from the text to support your ideas. Quotes from the text to support your examples.   Question: How does the structure of Montana, 1948 help develop the plotline of the book?