Themes and Characters
This tale follows a young boy's journey to maturity during the Great Depression. Initially confined to his home and nearby farm, he gradually gains the freedom to explore the river bottoms, hills, and mountains around him. As he grows, he transitions from relying on his parents' guidance to making critical life-and-death decisions that impact his dogs, the Pritchard boys, and himself.
A recurring theme is the importance of determination and hard work, illustrating that a man who helps himself will achieve his goals. This trait is first evident when Billy decides to save every penny he can to buy his coon pups. He demonstrates his resolve by undertaking various creative tasks. For two years, he catches worms and crawfish, picks berries, harvests vegetables to sell, and takes on any odd job available to earn money. Billy's grandfather emphasizes that determination and willpower are essential qualities for any boy, and these traits ultimately help Billy achieve his dream.
Another significant theme in Where the Red Fern Grows is love and devotion. A profound love for family is cultivated among Billy's immediate family members and his grandfather Coleman. Billy is taught to respect his siblings and elders, which is evident in his love for his sisters, parents, and grandparents. This love and devotion extend to his two redbone coonhounds, forming an unbreakable team. Their affection for him leads them to protect him from a mountain lion attack, resulting in Old Dan's sacrificial death to save his master. The story also highlights the bond of "love" between the dogs, as one cannot live without the other.
A fourth theme explored by Rawls is a mother's desire for a better life for her children. Billy's mother prays for and seeks ways to improve her children's opportunities. This longing is evident from the beginning of the story and persists throughout, culminating in the family's move from their farm to a town with better prospects.
Billy Coleman, the ten-year-old hero of Where the Red Fern Grows, is a dutiful boy growing up in a loving family with his parents and three younger sisters. His passion for hunting raccoons with his own dogs is so intense that he often finds himself unable to sleep, listening to the distant howls of hounds in the hills at night. By the end of the story, Billy, now fourteen, feels completely fulfilled. He has achieved all his goals: earning the money for his puppies, training them, hunting successfully, and gaining the trust and respect of his family. He emerges as a strong, brave, and wholesome young man.
Mr. Coleman, Billy's father, is a man at ease with himself. He has a good sense of humor and an easygoing smile. He believes in Billy and convinces his wife to give their son more freedom.
Mrs. Coleman, Billy's mother, is of Cherokee descent. She adores her family but tends to be overprotective. She struggles to see Billy as anything other than her little boy and often embarrasses him with her affectionate kisses and strict oversight of his activities. She is deeply concerned about the well-being of all her children and desires a better life for them than what she has experienced.
Billy's three younger sisters stay close to home and their mother. They look up to Billy and idolize him.
Grandpa Coleman owns a general store and mill, and it seems he is financially better off than his neighbors. He is devoted to his grandchildren, especially Billy. The two share a deep bond over their love of dogs, hunting, and storytelling.
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