Persistence is the Key to Knowledge

I analyzed the scene in which Ree goes to Milton’s house and attempts to talk with him in order to obtain information about her father’s whereabouts.  When talking to Milton’s wife, Ree uses the word ‘mam’ twice, which is a sign of respect, but she cusses when she is denied the opportunity to talk to Milton, which can be viewed as disrespect.  In the beginning of the scene Milton’s wife has her arms crossed and a stern face and by the end of the scene Ree has the same body position, whereas Milton's wife now looks exposed and nervous.  These two observations lead to the conclusion that in the beginning of the scene Milton’s wife holds the power and Ree is vulnerable.  She has Ree’s future in her hands and the power to say no.  By the end of the scene Ree has the control and Milton’s wife is the one who is nervous.  Ree is persistent and has the ability to cause problems.  Milton’s wife is scared of what Ree might discover.   Ree is courageous and not intimidated, this aids her in acquiring knowledge on her father’s disappearance. 

Milton’s wife calls Ree ‘child’ four times during the scene.  When Ree waits for Milton the camera pans to a statue in the yard of children playing.  These are both ironic and symbolic.  Ree being referred to as a child is ironic because even though she is only seventeen, she takes care of her entire family as an adult would.  She holds all the responsibility for her family and is very mature for her age, so being referred to as a child is demeaning and does not match Ree's character at all.  The statue is symbolic because it sits in the yard of a person who holds Ree's little siblings' and mother's fate in their hands.  The children in the statue are joyful, but Ree’s little brother and sister will not have a joyful, innocent childhood if Milton does not reveal what has been done to Ree’s father.  Ree’s motherly personality and her inner need to protect her family push her to gain information.

Ree stops Milton’s wife from saying no a multiple times within the scene.  When she turns her back on Ree to go inside, Ree says, “Please mam, I really, really got to”.  Later in the scene when Ree is told she cannot talk to Milton, Ree quickly replies, “I’ll wait” and also forcefully claims they are blood and that should be of value to Milton.  She has a determined and stubborn personality.  Ree refuses to give up or leave without the information she craves.  This scene does a terrific job demonstrating how Ree’s personality helps her to collect insight on her father.