This is the notes page for Place (Country and Town). To get to our paper, go here: Place Paper

The setting of the story is in Bentrock, Montana, located in Mercer County, northeatern point of Montana.

-Plains

-Flat as a tabletop on north eastern edge.

-Riven with gullies

-Rocky hills on western edge of Mercer County due to the erosion from the Knife River.

About 10 miles from North Dakota, and 15 miles from Canada.

"That night I cried for the frist time since that whike sadm sordid, tragic set of events began. My tears, however, were not for Marie whom I loved, or my uncle, whom I once idolized, or for my parents or grandparents or for my community or my life in it-all, all changed, I knew by what had happened. But that night I ried myself to sleep because I belived that I would never see my horse, Nutty again." Pg 125

This is when Uncle Frank is locked up in the basment laundry room as jail cell and David is upset because his father and Grandpa are arguining about this situatuon and in a big fight. David will not be allowed to go to the country again to see his horse Nutty.

-David feels enclosed in the small town because it is such a small place and he cant let free his emotions. This town is so small that it is like everyones in your business.

-out in the country farm he feels like he can let loose his feeling with his horse because this is like his place of escape. Its hard for a 12 year old to know how to deal with family situations at this time and his country is where he can be himself and free of worries.

The country represents freedom for David, it's where he can go free from the town and his father.

Julian Hayden (g-pa) controls both the ranches and town. When his three terms are up, he goes back to the ranch and len takes over for one term. It's his way for being in control.

"Wesley," repeated Grandfather. "Get your ass in gear and get your brother out here now." (pg 115)

This quote is an example of grandfather's demanding personality. It shows how in charge he feels in controling people so easily.

"Sleep as late as you can, and when you wake up the worst of this will be all over" (pg 154)

Wes says this to david and it is a quote to show that david is having a hard time with his family and wants to escape and get away from everyone and everything.

"I find history endlessly amusing, knowing, as I do, that the record of any human community might omit stories of sexual abuse, murder, suicide...Who knows-perhaps any region's most dramatic, most sensational, stories were not played out in the public view but were confined to small, private places.  A doctor's office, say.  A white frame house on a quiet street.  So no matter whatever lurid or comical fantasy my imagination might concoct.  And know that the truth might not be far off.  These musings, of course, are for my private enjoyment.  For my students I keep a straight face and pretend that the text tells us truth, whole and umbellished." (page 170)

David was talking about the irony of secrets that were kept within small towns in comparison to the history lessons that he taught.

sources:

http://www.imagesjournal.com/issue06/infocus/western.htm

http://www.nativeamericans.com/  National American Indian Heritage Month, 2004 Presidential Proclamation