Bastard...

In Bastard Out of Carloina we see another fine example of a protagonist who gives readers ample opportunity to feel sorry for her. Bone like Lil Bit and Didion are victims of tragic circumstances beyond their control. This seems to be a recurring theme within these award winning texts authored by women. So again the question is begged is this a story of a victim or a survivor. Obviously, Bone is a victim on several levels. She is a bastard child, state-certified. This archaic designation is a permanent brand given to her by the state of South Carolina; a permanent reminder of her inherent inferiority. She lives in increasingly impoverished circumstances. She is cold, hungry and rootless. She is finally the victim of verbal, physical and sexual abuse.

As the narrative progresses we forget that Bone is a bastard. We forget about this victimization; it losses it's power within Bone's narrative. The aspect of poverty is also forgotten. Bone and the rest of her family are poor, poor beyond what most will ever be able to comprehend in this age of subsidized housing, medicine and large charity organizations. This oppressive poverty also falls by wayside by the end of the narrative. Only the abuse is left victimize Bone, but she is not dead at the end of the book and we must assume that her narrative will continue beyond the last page. It seems only logical that the abuse she has endured will also fail to define Bone.