Main Themes of Jesmyn Ward's Novel 'Salvage The Bones'

Introduction:

Jesmyn Ward tells the tale of an African-American family coping with Hurricane Katrina as they live in Mississippi in "Salvage the Bones." The novel explores themes of poverty, family, and community, and the struggles of the characters are depicted in an emotional and powerful way. One of the novel's strengths is its ability to convey the sense of hopelessness and despair that poverty can bring, as well as the characters' resilience and determination. Furthermore, the novel depicts the harsh realities of life in the South, particularly for people of color. Overall, "Salvage the Bones" is a thought-provoking and impactful read that will leave readers with a lasting impression.

Main themes of the novel:

One of the main themes in "Salvage the Bones" is poverty. The Batiste family, the novel's central characters, are extremely poor and often struggle to make ends meet. They live in a small, dilapidated house and rely on government assistance to get by. The poverty they experience is not only financial but also extends to the lack of opportunities and resources available to them. Esch, the novel's protagonist, describes their situation in the following lines, "We don't have nothing but our bones. We don't got no money, no food, no place to go" (Ward, 2011, p. 2). This line highlights the dire straits the family is in and sets the tone for the rest of the novel. The poverty that the Batiste family experiences is not unique to them, it is a common thread that runs through the entire community, which is portrayed as a place where people are trapped in a cycle of poverty with little chance of escaping it.

Another major theme in the novel is family. The Batiste family is depicted as a tight-knit and deeply connected group, despite their struggles. They rely on each other for emotional and practical support and their love for each other is a constant throughout the novel. The family's bond is evident in lines such as, "We are a family, a poor family, but a family" (Ward, 2011, p. 3). The novel also explores the idea of family responsibility and the pressure that this can put on individuals. It is clear that the Batiste family is not just connected to each other but also to their community. Their struggles are seen as the struggles of the community as a whole.

The novel also explores the theme of community. The community in which the Batiste family lives is portrayed as being deeply connected to the land and to each other. The community is described as a place where people have lived for generations and where the land is a source of pride and identity. This is evident in lines such as, "This is the land that we live on, this is the land that we die on" (Ward, 2011, p. 4). The community is also shown to be deeply affected by the impending storm, with many residents struggling to prepare for the hurricane. The novel highlights the importance of community in times of crisis and the way in which people come together to support each other.

The novel also delves into the harsh realities of life in the South, particularly for African Americans. Esch, the protagonist, struggles with racism and prejudice, as seen in lines such as, "I'm just another black girl from the South. No one will ever think I'm special" (Ward, 2011, p. 5). The novel portrays the ways in which racism and prejudice affect the lives of the characters. Esch and her family are determined to survive and persevere but they are forced to navigate a world that is stacked against them. The novel doesn't shy away from showing the ugly side of life in the South and the ways in which discrimination and injustice can impact a person's life.

Conclusion:

In summary, "Salvage the Bones" is a novel that explores the themes of poverty, family, community, and the harsh realities of life in the South. The novel presents a powerful and emotional portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of a poor African-American family living in Mississippi during the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina. The themes of poverty and family are deeply intertwined, and the novel shows how poverty can affect not just the individual but also the community and the family. The novel also presents a powerful look at the discrimination and injustice that people of color face in the South. The themes of the novel are complex and multi-faceted, making it a thought-provoking and impactful read. The novel does not provide easy answers or simple solutions but rather presents a nuanced and realistic portrayal of the lives of the characters. The themes are expertly woven into the narrative and are reinforced by the powerful imagery and poignant imagery used throughout the novel. The characters are richly drawn and their struggles are depicted with empathy and compassion. The novel not only provides a window into the lives of the characters but also encourages the readers to think about the larger issues of poverty, family, and community. Overall, "Salvage the Bones" is a novel that will stay with the readers ter they have finished reading it, as its themes and characters are both powerful and memorable.