Bastard Out of Carolina

Through the eyes of its young narrator, Bone, Bastard Out of Carolina examines the relationship between Bone and her mother, Anney, who is caught between protecting her child, and trusting Glen, her lover. What is interesting about their circumstance is that Glen is not Bone’s biological feather; he is her stepfather. From the moment that Glen enters their lives, Bone is quite uncomfortable around him. This tension intensifies as he begins to physically and sexually abuse her. Although Bone despises Glen for taking advantage of her, she realizes that her mother is deeply in love with him. However, Anney is not oblivious to the abuse; she is always quick to initially come to Bone’s rescue, yet she continually justifies Glen’s actions. Because of this, Bone becomes completely confused. Her mother should assume a role as her protector, but she remains with Glen, setting Bone up for further abuse.

Although Bone has a small nuclear family, her extended family is rather large. Throughout the novel, the extended Boatwright family functions as a support system for one another. Although they all face their own respective problems, the Boatwright sisters are not just aunts; they are more like surrogate mothers to Bone. Glen even feels like an outsider to not only the Boatwright family, but also his own. He tries to move Anney and her daughters away from their close family, but it soon becomes clear that they cannot make it own their own. They cannot function without their relatives, who help one another in a multitude of ways: emotionally and financially. However, Anney and Bone seem to long for a typical family, which continually subjects them to further disappointment. Although the Boatwrights are dysfunctional, they are a tight-knit family that stands by one another, even in the most trying of circumstances. In her work, Allison illustrates that a “normal family” does not really exist. Every family—even if they have money—is flawed in some way.

The theme of sexuality is also important throughout Bastard Out of Carolina. In the novel, children, specifically young girls, become aware of their sexuality at a very young age. In fact, Anney even becomes pregnant with Bone when she is only fourteen. However, Bone does not become aware of sex through curiosity; she is introduced to it by Glen, who sexually abuses her before she enters puberty. Bone intensely fears and hates Glen’s actions, which leads her to equate sex with shame. As she ages, she does not become interested in boys or sex; instead, she views sex as a destructive act that drives a wedge between her relationship with her mother.

Bastard Out of Carolina offers interesting insight into the oppression of poor whites and women. The Boatwright clan lives paycheck-to paycheck; they purchase the bare necessities, nothing more. Bone understands that her mother cannot afford to buy her items that she desires, and soon realizes that she stands out in school. Her schoolmates marginalize her by referring to her as “trash” and even a “white nigger.” Despite the limitations that poverty presents, it also causes the Boatwrights to band together as a family. None of them are wealthy, but they offer one another whatever they can spare, which is usually only time and love. Additionally in the novel, women are oppressed by the repercussions of sex. Many of the Boatwright women are introduced to sex at a young, and, shortly after, become pregnant. In Anney’s case, she cannot even recall the father of Bone. Bastard Out of Carolina portrays men as opposing figures to women. In the novel, they are abusive, sexually domineering, un-trustworthy, and prone to irrational actions. Allison illustrates that women are yoked to their children in ways that men are not. They not only endure pregnancy, but also invest more into rearing the child. A man’s responsibility is to provide guidance, support, and love; however, the novel portrays a crew of male characters who fail to deliver in those departments.