Character Profiles
David Hayden
As the events of the summer in 1948 unfold, David is twelve, though he is re telling this significant part of his life from a first-person perspective as a 53 year old man. David is the
son of Wesley and Gail Hayden, and was brought up in a privileged home of a well known and respected family. His father was a qualified attorney working as a local sheriff, mother a secretary in a register office, his uncle a local doctor and a grandfather served many terms as a county sheriff.
David was always aware of his family’s powerful position in town and never felt very comfortable with those circumstances. He was a courageous and adventures boy as well as very thoughtful and observant by nature and all he wanted as 12 years old is to ‘grow up wild’. This did not mean driving fast cars, smoking and chasing girls, but instead leaving town and going into the country. David being a shy young character felt as he does not fit into or understands the town’s structure and found contentment whenever he was out in the wilderness. He understood all the dramatic events happening in his house and he was wishing to become an adult quickly and escape from the reality he had no control over. David, being an only child developed a close relationship with a native young woman Marie Little Soldier who was his babysitter.
As the events of the summer in 1948 unfold, David is twelve, though he is re telling this significant part of his life from a first-person perspective as a 53 year old man. David is the
son of Wesley and Gail Hayden, and was brought up in a privileged home of a well known and respected family. His father was a qualified attorney working as a local sheriff, mother a secretary in a register office, his uncle a local doctor and a grandfather served many terms as a county sheriff.
David was always aware of his family’s powerful position in town and never felt very comfortable with those circumstances. He was a courageous and adventures boy as well as very thoughtful and observant by nature and all he wanted as 12 years old is to ‘grow up wild’. This did not mean driving fast cars, smoking and chasing girls, but instead leaving town and going into the country. David being a shy young character felt as he does not fit into or understands the town’s structure and found contentment whenever he was out in the wilderness. He understood all the dramatic events happening in his house and he was wishing to become an adult quickly and escape from the reality he had no control over. David, being an only child developed a close relationship with a native young woman Marie Little Soldier who was his babysitter.
Wesley Hayden
A significant character in the novel Montana 1948 is Wesley Hayden, father of David and spouse of Gail. He was born in 1910 in Mercer County and grew up on a large cattle ranch just outside of Bentrock with his brother Frank, mother Enid and father Julian. The
Hayden family moved to Bentrock in order for Julian Hayden to pursue his career as a county sheriff which he served for three terms. When he decided to retire, Julian with all his power and influence has persuaded Wesley to take on the position of the new county sheriff. Initially Wesley had other plans, he graduated from the University off North Dakota Law School and wanted to be an attorney. Everyone knew Wes fitted the ideal occupation of a law man. His wife Gail believed they should move out of Montana so Wes could establish his attorney career without the pressure of being one of Hayden's. Wes however didn’t find enough courage to go against his father wishes so he set aside his dreams and took the badge that his father offered.
Think: why do you believe Wes did not refuse the badge as county sheriff?
A significant character in the novel Montana 1948 is Wesley Hayden, father of David and spouse of Gail. He was born in 1910 in Mercer County and grew up on a large cattle ranch just outside of Bentrock with his brother Frank, mother Enid and father Julian. The
Hayden family moved to Bentrock in order for Julian Hayden to pursue his career as a county sheriff which he served for three terms. When he decided to retire, Julian with all his power and influence has persuaded Wesley to take on the position of the new county sheriff. Initially Wesley had other plans, he graduated from the University off North Dakota Law School and wanted to be an attorney. Everyone knew Wes fitted the ideal occupation of a law man. His wife Gail believed they should move out of Montana so Wes could establish his attorney career without the pressure of being one of Hayden's. Wes however didn’t find enough courage to go against his father wishes so he set aside his dreams and took the badge that his father offered.
Think: why do you believe Wes did not refuse the badge as county sheriff?
Frank Hayden
Frank Hayden, brother of Wesley, son of Julian and uncle of David. He is a qualified
doctor and seems to be respected by many members of the local community. When he
first appears in the novel he is portrayed as a helpful man who is willing to help a brother out when Marie becomes severely ill. However, as the story unfolds we find out that Frank has been for years sexually abusing many of his patients, majority of them being native American women. He used his highly respected position in town to cover up his crimes and managed to keep it secret even from his closest family members. No one in town would’ve suspected that anything inappropriate was happening between him and female Indian clients.
Besides, even if an incident was reported to the police by an Indian female it would’ve been dismissed due to the town’s lack of racial justice.
Frank Hayden, brother of Wesley, son of Julian and uncle of David. He is a qualified
doctor and seems to be respected by many members of the local community. When he
first appears in the novel he is portrayed as a helpful man who is willing to help a brother out when Marie becomes severely ill. However, as the story unfolds we find out that Frank has been for years sexually abusing many of his patients, majority of them being native American women. He used his highly respected position in town to cover up his crimes and managed to keep it secret even from his closest family members. No one in town would’ve suspected that anything inappropriate was happening between him and female Indian clients.
Besides, even if an incident was reported to the police by an Indian female it would’ve been dismissed due to the town’s lack of racial justice.
Julian Hayden
Julian Hayden, husband of Enid, father of Frank and Wesley and grandfather to David,
was the previous sheriff of Mercer County. Julian is portrayed as a big man with a strong, noticeable personality. He always enjoyed having power and having people following his orders. According to David’s description of his grandfather;” he wanted, he needed power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others”. It was obvious to him that when he retires his son Wesley will take over his position as a county sheriff in order to continue the Hayden’s family strong and influential position in town.
Julian’s attitude towards the Native Americans is arrogant and disrespectful. Even when he finds about his sons horrible crimes against Indian women, he refers to them as ‘red meat’ and shows no sympathy towards them. Even when he finally acknowledges Frank’s mistakes, he still does not stand up for what’s right and instead takes Frank’s side on the allegations.
Julian Hayden, husband of Enid, father of Frank and Wesley and grandfather to David,
was the previous sheriff of Mercer County. Julian is portrayed as a big man with a strong, noticeable personality. He always enjoyed having power and having people following his orders. According to David’s description of his grandfather;” he wanted, he needed power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and strength from controlling others”. It was obvious to him that when he retires his son Wesley will take over his position as a county sheriff in order to continue the Hayden’s family strong and influential position in town.
Julian’s attitude towards the Native Americans is arrogant and disrespectful. Even when he finds about his sons horrible crimes against Indian women, he refers to them as ‘red meat’ and shows no sympathy towards them. Even when he finally acknowledges Frank’s mistakes, he still does not stand up for what’s right and instead takes Frank’s side on the allegations.
Marie Little Solider
Marie Little Soldier moved to Montana when she was around 20 years of age. She was originally from Berthold
Reservation and is a Hunkpapa Sioux Native. Marie was hired by the Hayden’s to be their housekeeper but to also babysit David. In David’s eyes Marie is one of the few characters who remains unchanged and is highly loved by
David.
As the story evolves Maire stands up for the female Indiana’s of the town that have been abused and mistreated. The truth about Marie’s death is slowly revealed at the end of the novel.
Marie Little Soldier moved to Montana when she was around 20 years of age. She was originally from Berthold
Reservation and is a Hunkpapa Sioux Native. Marie was hired by the Hayden’s to be their housekeeper but to also babysit David. In David’s eyes Marie is one of the few characters who remains unchanged and is highly loved by
David.
As the story evolves Maire stands up for the female Indiana’s of the town that have been abused and mistreated. The truth about Marie’s death is slowly revealed at the end of the novel.
Len McCauley
Len was a colleague of Julian Hayden. When Julian was the town’s sheriff Len was next in charge and when Julian left town once in a while he automatically became the towns sheriff for the time being. Although Len reveals his loyalty to Julian throughout the book, it really comes to light when he defends Gail and David when they are in real danger. He chooses to take a realistic approach and shows brave attitude when it comes to handling the Hayden’s family situation of the summer in 1948.
Gail Hayden
Gail is the mother of David and wife of Wesley. She comes across as being a quiet woman though is presented as the strong moral influence in the Hayden marriage. Gail also had a strong impact on the upbringing of David, passing independent views into the strong and powerful Hayden family.
David’s mother changes her views on the situation, telling Wes to let Frank out of the basement as she thinks it would take care of everything. Frank being in the basement has caused a lot of trouble within the Hayden family and everyone has had enough of it. She also doesn’t want a murderer living in her basement while men try and get him free at the same time. When she speaks of “her family” she is talking about herself, David and Wes. Her feelings have changed towards Julian and Frank and doesn’t consider them to be family anymore after all the terrible things they have both done.
Enid and Gloria Hayden
These two women are married to Julian and Frank Hayden. Although they do not have a major involvement in the storyline they both feature in the novel living in the shadow of their powerful spouses.
Len was a colleague of Julian Hayden. When Julian was the town’s sheriff Len was next in charge and when Julian left town once in a while he automatically became the towns sheriff for the time being. Although Len reveals his loyalty to Julian throughout the book, it really comes to light when he defends Gail and David when they are in real danger. He chooses to take a realistic approach and shows brave attitude when it comes to handling the Hayden’s family situation of the summer in 1948.
Gail Hayden
Gail is the mother of David and wife of Wesley. She comes across as being a quiet woman though is presented as the strong moral influence in the Hayden marriage. Gail also had a strong impact on the upbringing of David, passing independent views into the strong and powerful Hayden family.
David’s mother changes her views on the situation, telling Wes to let Frank out of the basement as she thinks it would take care of everything. Frank being in the basement has caused a lot of trouble within the Hayden family and everyone has had enough of it. She also doesn’t want a murderer living in her basement while men try and get him free at the same time. When she speaks of “her family” she is talking about herself, David and Wes. Her feelings have changed towards Julian and Frank and doesn’t consider them to be family anymore after all the terrible things they have both done.
Enid and Gloria Hayden
These two women are married to Julian and Frank Hayden. Although they do not have a major involvement in the storyline they both feature in the novel living in the shadow of their powerful spouses.