"Blood don't truly count for diddly to the big man?" (Woodrell 63).
Ancestry is a common theme in Winter's Bone. Ree wants to rely on her family when she is looking for her father because she believes they should support her due to their blood relation. When Thump Milton will not speak to Ree, she does not understand his logic. She was hoping that he would talk with her because they are relatives. Teardrop warned Ree not to go down to Hawkfall and ask people about things they did not offer to talk about (25). Ree did not listen, and Thump Milton turned her away. Blond takes a different approach than Teardrop. Blood says to Ree, "Jessup'n me maybe had our tussles, but he was my first cousin still. I'll see whatever I can do for you" (76). Blood has a higher regard for the blood relation between him and Jessup. He is willing to help Ree find her father because he sees the value in their family name.
Katie-Ancestry is indeed an important theme to investigate and keep an eye on in this novel. (When you say "Blood," do you need "Blond?")
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