Winters Bone Essay

Anthony Martinez
English 102
Professor Cline
March 25, 2012

 Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive stimulant drug that affects millions of people worldwide. Winter's Bone was a story that showed an intimate glimpse inside the lives of those who are affected daily by the world of meth. The story described a lifestyle that not many people know about. The people involved in the world of meth include: the cookers, the sellers, the users, and the family and loved ones of these people. Each day these individuals face challenges in life that are unthinkable to much of society. They live lives that others may be fearful of, however, they may be amazed at how when it comes down to it, they are just human like everyone else. Unfortunately, they have had methamphetamine introduced into their lives, either by choice, or by association. Daniel Woodrell may have used Winter's Bones to portay his experience of living around this world that is devestanting to watch as it hurts innoncent people who care about their families, despite their choices and lifestyle. Growing up around a the world of meth, Daniel Woodrell saw firsthand how it directly affect everyone around it. However, it seems as if it was a growing experience for him, and he recognized that it takes a lot of strength to face the power of this devastating drug, but it is not impossible, and Woodrell described this type of strength in character of the Ree Woodrell. Ree Dolly, the young lady in this story, never once showed an ounce of weakness to her younger siblings. She realized how much they enjoyed living life each day, and their innocence shown through the smiles that they kept on their faces, even when they were unsure of where their next meal would come from. One thing that many people can relate to is the warm and loving feeling that is experienced as they remember life in the eyes of child. All that a child knows how to do is rely on, and love the family that they have. They do not know better to see whether or not they are living with people who are meth users. The Dolly children live a very tough life, a life that many others would not think is possible to survive. They are unfortunate in many ways, yet in retrospect, they are fortunate to have the sister that they do. Ree is stronger than most adults, and more of a man than most when it comes to taking care of her family. Her own father left her to hold an unthinkable amount of responsibility on her shoulders, with few resources for any help. Although most people would see this as being despicable behavior, Ree kept a respectful attitude towards her father because as far as she knew he was doing what he needed to do, as if he had no other choice. There was almost never a point at which Ree had a 'poor me' attitude and the author used that as a way to describe the kind of strength needed to survive and not let meth take over a person when they grow up in a life that is indulged in meth. Most people do not realize that they may have the kind of strength that Ree Dolly has, the kind of strength that never allows selfishness and weakness get in the way of doing what she needs to do in order to survive and provide for her siblings. This kind of strength is hard to uncover, especially when a person's life has been touched by meth. This is why the author shows that Ree Dolly portrayed selflessness which showed what a strong young woman can accomplish when faced with the challenge to either sink or swim in life. In this story, a teenage girl was able to accomplish extraordinary tasks, these were tasks that many men would not the amount of courage that is needed to accomplish. The author seemed to use Ree as an example of a person who has never had anyone to rely on in life except for herself, yet ironically, she is relied on in many ways, to a number of people, and she never feels sorry for herself. She realizes that there is nothing useful that would come out of having pity for herself, and she has the bare essentials needed to be able to get the job done. Her attitude about life seems to be that she has to do what she has to do because that is the way that things go. Another strength that the author describes in Ree is that she is not intimidated by hard work because she is such a survivor. This young lady is described as a warrior who does not go out asking for help, however, she is smart enough to know to take the help that she needs when it is offered to her. The only way that the innocent siblings of Ree stand a chance in life is in her hands. This girl not only realizes this, but is willing to take on the responsibility of raising her brothers as if they were her own, while caring for her mentally ill mother. The amount of challenges that Ree Dolly experiences is almost unbelievable, there are not many adults that know what to do when they are faced with the threat of losing the roof that is over their head. Much like there are not many adults who believe that they have the strength to fight against the power of meth. Fear is nothing more than the unknown, and the author shows how an unexpected child faces the unknown during the battle to save her family's home. In this story, meth is much like a virus as it spreads through people, families, and in this case, an entire community. The power that is in this drug is able to turn ordinary people into selfish, heinous individuals who would do anything to protect themselves, their money, and their drugs. With nothing more than the strength of her heart, Ree sets out to find help in her extended family to help to locate her father, whether he is alive or dead. She is able to except the way that things are in her life and what has happened to her father. Her only motive in risking her life to find her father, or his remains, is to provide a home for her mother and siblings so that she has the means to continue caring for them day in and day out. The author also shows how this girl is so desperate to provide for her family that she trust people, who would be willing to kill her, to help her find her dad. Ironically, her disparity made her put a lot a risk much like her father's disparity put his life, and loved ones at risk as well When people think of meth users and families the first thing that typically comes to mind is that they are dirty, scummy people that live hideous lives that are filled with crime and suffering. Unfortunately, many people do not give recognition to the children who are forced into lifestyles that involve meth in some way. Daniel Woodrall grew up in with meth around him, affecting his world in some way. Through Winter's Bones, he has uncovered the life of the innocent who are involved in a world with a very powerful drug. The author has shown that the only way to face the challenges that meth bring is to be a strong person and believe that overcoming the drug and the effects that it has on families is not impossible, however, there is nothing easy about it. The people who live a life that involves methamphetamine are no different than most other people in the way that they have family that they love and they are trying to survive life. Though, those who are involved with meth in some way are faced with even more challenges than the average person, whether they choose to be a part of that lifestyle or not, it is evident that life is going to lead down a more unstable path when the drug included in their life. Woodrall uses Ree as a metaphor to show that strength can be found in some of the most un expected places. Who would think that a seventeen year old could first of all take care of herself in the circumstance she had been given, let alone, be responsible for an entire family. The author used Ree character to show that not only can someone survive in the kind of world that is full of evil and poison, but they can pave a path for others to stray away from the temptation to fall into the devastating world of meth.