In the novel Montana 1948, the relationship between David and his father is complex and distant, and leads us to better understand the struggles they both face and their development throughout the novel. Their relationship also helps the reader understand the importance of positive role models for young children and the conflict between justice and family loyalty, both of which are difficult themes they face. However, as a reader we do not see Wesley's thoughts and emotions (like we do David) through their relationship and how David perceives his father, we can develop a good understanding of both characters throughout. throughout the novel. to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Although David and his father love each other, their relationship in the novel is generally strained and distant as they struggle to establish relationships with each other, and do not recognize the hardships the others face during Montana 1948. One of the most notable difficulties hindering their relationship is Wesley's profession as sheriff. Frank's crimes and Wesley's inaction on them drive a wedge into his father-son relationship, as David fails to appreciate the moral dilemmas that accompany Wesley's job and does not understand why his father does not like to be sheriff. He expresses his disappointment at the beginning of the novel: "My father was...a sheriff, a position with so much potential for excitement and danger and courage, why couldn't some of that promise be kept ? " This puts a strain on their relationship, as not only does Wesley physically and aesthetically fail to match David's opinion of a county sheriff, but he also fails to do so morally. Wesley's struggle between family loyalty and the law is one that David never fully appreciates. However, as the novel progresses, he begins to better understand how difficult it was for Wesley to grow up under Julian and Frank: "I suddenly felt sorry for my father...what is that must have been to have a father who could talk to you like that? that?" David never really understands his father's struggles. On Wesley's side, his inability to realize that his son knows about Frank's crimes also makes their connection difficult. This is one of the main reasons of their strained relationship, as Wesley is too preoccupied with his job and the choices he is forced to make, to notice his son or understand the advice that David needs. While David struggles to understand the adult themes that he has. 'surround, he does not have the help of his father Again, this makes it difficult for them to be close The relationship between David and his father helps the reader understand the importance of positive male role models for the development of a. child and, more importantly, the need for a strong father/son relationship A major theme of this novel is the difficult journey from innocence to adulthood For David, he goes through most of this journey alone. , without his father's guidance, as he explores uncharted territories such as sexual urges, mortality and suicide. An example of David's struggle to process all these new emotions and feelings can be seen in the magpie scene. As he tries to sift through these complexities of adulthood (by shooting things), he kills a magpie. “I realized that these strange and unthought connections – sex and death, lust and violence, desire and degradation – are there, deep even in the cavities of a good heart.” With the recent events that have happened, he is having a hard time.