Montana 1948

The prejudice of white people towards Native Americans is the primary theme of Montana 1948. 

David is very much aware of his father’s garden-variety racism; it came up when he forbade his son to wear a pair of moccasins: “He wears those and soon he’ll be as flat-footed and lazy as an Indian.” To David’s father, all Native Americans are assumed to be lesser citizens. They are by race lazy, irresponsible, and guided by primitive superstitions.  

When the Haydens’ housekeeper, Marie, objects to being examined by David’s uncle, who is a local doctor, David’s father assumes that Marie is reacting out of superstition and resistance to modern medicine. Later Marie shares her true motivation with David’s mother: Uncle Frank has a history of sexually abusing Native American women.

All of the men in the Hayden family, David’s father, grandfather, and uncle, are explicitly racist in the novel. David’s grandfather refers to Native American women as “red meat.” Uncle Frank believes he can get away with sexual assault because no one really cares what happens to Native women and girls.

David himself has a crush on Marie, and he feels most free and happy when playing with Marie and her boyfriend.