Strength from Strong Relationships

Humans were intelligently created or have evolved to form tight social groups where the interest of the group is greater than the interest of the individual. Today we call these relationships loving relationships. I believe that two or more people who truly love each other will be able to overcome any task that they are presented with. Throughout the first chapter of Salvage the Bones, Jesmyn Ward gives many examples of the loving relationships between Esch’s family, neighbors, and even her family pet. Through these loving relationships that they share, they become extremely loyal and to each other- this is what makes them strong. An example of this love is shown when Esch cuts her hand while washing an old moonshine jug. The boys come to tend to her wound and offer moral support. This shows how the make-shift family acts when confronted with a crisis. Of course this is on a much smaller scale than what is to come (Hurricane Katrina) but the “family” has shown their unitedness and loyalty. Having lived through Hurricane Katrina, I know that it takes strength and loyalty for one to overcome such a disastrous event. Although Katrina was known to destroy both families and individuals, Esch and her “family” seem to have the right network of support and love to overcome the many challenges that Katrina will bring towards them.