While there were many opening scenes which focused on the
travails of Ree’s life, the scene where she was watching the ROTC drill was one
of the few that offered a glimpse of escaping her dismal situation. Indeed, it was the only time that she smiled
during the entire movie. After finally meeting with the recruitment officer, we
see the hope fade quickly once she realizes she would not be able to care for
her family and the money would be slow in coming. Rather than focus on the
despair of having her hopes dashed, she quickly pivots back to proving her
father was dead to save what little the family had left. Time and time again,
we see that Ree’s sole determination was protecting her brother and sister from
the chaos surrounding them.
Ree
often had to put herself in dangerous situations. After meeting with her uncle
and sister, it becomes quickly evident that the women in the story are quite
slavish to their husbands. She confronts her sister about being so subservient
only to be told that’s what happens in marriage. Every woman she comes across
warns her that she shouldn’t be asking such questions and it would cause
problems for them as well as Ree. She has to go along with the women who beat
her up, not knowing if their intent was to help or hurt her. By the end of the
movie, she is prepared for the worst at every turn but is forced to trust the
very people she knows could kill her.
You bring up a good point about the scene with the ROTC. The whole movie revolves around Ree trying to protect her family and her attempt to join the Army seems to be no different. I am sure that the driving force behind Ree’s attempt to join the Army is the money that she believes will help her family, but I think you are on to something about a secondary or underlying reason. In those opening scenes when Ree is watching the ROTC practice, she does seem to be happier. It’s like she gets pulled out of her miserable world and has a chance to imagine a life without all of this responsibility and pain.
ReplyDeleteRee's conversation with the recruiter does reinforce to us what she truly cares about, had we been unsure. It also displays her strength to quickly recover. She was optimistic about having money and a job. This notion was crushed, but she immediately recovered and set her sights back on her siblings and pursuing her dad.
ReplyDeleteShe is definitely shown to be brave to get the information she needs. Going with those women proved that she'd risk anything she had to. Her sister first appears slavish, but does prove herself by eventually getting the truck. I'd say that makes Ree's confidence in the toughness of Dolly blood believable enough.