Relentless Ree

      Winter’s Bone’s Ree is straightforward and true when dealing with others. Early on, there’s a scene where Ree visits Victoria and Teardrop for information regarding her dad. After seeing her personality around the kids, this scene sets up how she’ll act in different situations. It begins with Ree being upfront as to why she’s there. “I’m looking for my dad.” This cuts all small talk and gets information flow started the quickest. She follows that up with why she needs to know where he is; if he doesn’t show to court, her home and property will be taken away. She knows that if anything will get them to tell her what they may know, that’d be it. Ree’s dad is Teardrop’s little brother, so they’re related enough for them to somewhat care about her losing everything. Ree questions Teardrop to the point of him grabbing her neck. It was obvious that Teardrop was getting more annoyed as she wouldn’t drop it, which shows us that Ree is not afraid. Her relentlessness is reinforced by her immediate venture to Little Arthur’s, despite Teardrop telling her to go home and stop questioning.

      Ree doesn't try to read others for information she doesn't care about. She only wants to know what she wants to know. This trait is observable by others as well throughout the story. Teardrop trusts her enough to not spout off anything to anyone, and Thump trusts Teardrop’s belief in her enough to let her go. Ree may seem slightly stubborn with the way she continually questioned dangerous folks, but she had no choice. She faces it, or loses everything. Her personality ultimately gets her what she needed to know and not a bit more. She could have asked Teardrop “who?” But, that wouldn't be Ree.