The Ties of Duty, Community, and Family in Winter's Bone

        One of the main themes in Winter’s Bone is the scene of duty, community, and family found in the Dolly clan. Duty is found chiefly in the main character Ree. This protagonist is the sole caretaker of her two brothers and mother. She not only puts food on the table but cares for her ailing mother and teaches her brothers life skills. For example, on pg. 106, Ree teaches the boys how to skin squirrels, knowing they will one day be hunting squirrels themselves. Ree does all of this without question. Not only does she carry no resentment towards her mother for being sick or cheating on her father, Ree cares for her brothers equally despite Sonny being from a different father. Regardless, she feels it is her responsibility to care for her family. 

        However, the duties of caretaking and family expand into the community. These caretaking duties range from small to large. At the beginning of the novel, Sonja brings “‘meat… Canned stuff. Some butter and such’” over for Ree’s family to use (pg. 17). Sonja feels responsible for helping out her fellow community members. She knows Ree cannot afford or supply these goods for her family. Later in the novel, however, Teardrop comes to save Ree after being beaten by Mrs. Thump and her sisters (pg. 135). Even though Ree is only his niece, Teardrop takes responsibility for Ree’s actions and wellbeing. He brings her back home, helping to care for her with others in the community. Teardrop did not owe anything to Ree but felt it was his duty to help her. 

        The duties and responsibilities found in the community all link to a sense of family in the novel. Ree, her brothers, Sonja, and Teardrop, along with all the other Dollys, form a family; they are connected by blood, no matter how small. This blood bond produces a duty and responsibility to help one another. This bond ultimately leads Mrs. Thump and her sisters to lead Ree to her father's dead body. While they may not share a strong blood connection, there is a bond in the community. 

        One of the key takeaways from this novel is that family does not always meet societal expectations. Winter's Bone is a story of a family, messed up and dysfunctional as it may be. Family bonds are strong; they are what save Ree and her family. Duty, love, and loyalty can all be expressed through different meanings, just as it is in the novel. Despite the death, violence, drugs, and poverty, the Dolly family still cares for and loves one another.