Image Source: http://www.salon.com/2007/08/16/meth/
Throughout my
reading, two reoccurring themes grabbed my attention. The first theme I encountered
is the casual use of drugs by most of the characters. All of the characters
seem to have a taste for marijuana. It is offered as a social gesture when
guests are greeted. Also, it is used during troubling times to ease the mind.
Smoking marijuana is done openly and in front of children. For instance, when
Ree and Gale are in the truck waiting for pigs to clear off the bridge, a
doobie is lit up and shared right in front of baby Ned. Ree will smoke
marijuana but she refuses to use crank. Crank is another drug that plagues the
Ozarks. Its use is common and many citizens even manufacture it. It seems to
have devastating effects on the region. Those who use it tend to do so in
binges and withdraw from society for days on end. The experience renders the
user useless and volatile until the binge ends. To learn more about the effects
of methamphetamine on society click here. Ree alludes that her father’s
disappearance is associated with crank; although, it has yet to be confirmed. Ree
also mentions eating hallucinogenic mushrooms. The experience she describes
seems enlightening and uplifting until the reader discovers she has been taken
advantage of sexually while tripping. A second theme I observed throughout the
text is poverty. It appears most of the characters struggle financially. For
example, Ree and her family depend of the charity of their neighbors for
nutritional needs. This is also apparent when Ree is shopping with Gale and
tells her that grated cheese is too expensive and if she buys it once, her
younger brothers may become accustomed to it.
Thus far, Winter’s Bone has been a very intriguing
novel for me. The plot is a little slow for my taste, but the story is
nonetheless enthralling. Daniel Woodrell goes to great lengths to provide
elaborate imagery. All of the character’s features and their respective attire
are vividly presented. In addition, the imagery gives the reader a clear mental
picture of time of day and various environments. At times, the imagery seems a
bit overwhelming and tends to drown out the storyline. I would estimate that
almost a third of reading, to this point, is devoted to description. That
said, I am thoroughly enjoying the book and anticipate an exciting ending.
Work
Cited
Woodrell, Daniel. Winter's Bone. New York: Back Bay Books, 2006. Print.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! You did a good job of explaining the different themes of this novel and how they play into the story itself. I also agree with you on the author's use of imagery, I think the story would flow more easily if he had left some of it out. However, this book is offering me some variety because it is different than my usual reading. Thanks again for your post!
ReplyDeleteGreat information in your post. The rampant drug use jumped right out at me too, especially how the drugs are readily available to these teens. It's sad how a vice can become so ingrained in parts of society that it's expected. I like the imagery in the story though, not just for the detail it provides but also because it's so contrasting that it seems to highlight the ugliness of what's happening in the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!
Aaron, I agree with the themes you found from reading the first part of the book thus far. Although there were a few parts from the book that I don't recall reading up to this point. Such as the part when Ree and Gale are smoking marijuana in front of Ned. I disagree that the imagery is too much. I think that the imagery is necessary to portray the seriousness of the level of drug use and poverty that plagues this family and town.
ReplyDelete