The Red Fern
Every countryside has its own famous legend. In the Ozark mountains, the legend was of the red fern. Legend has it, that the red fern was found between two Native American children’s frozen bodies. It can only be planted by an angel and is immortal. This special plant is considered a miracle and a gift from the heavens. However, it was seen by a boy named Billy in the late 1900s. In Wilson Rawls’ realistic fiction, Where the Red Fern Grows, the red fern is presented as a symbol that illustrates more powerful ideas, such as the power of faith, deep love, and complementary, but opposite, forces. The influence of faith on Billy’s life has a significant impact on the understanding he has on his life’s events. For instance, Wilson Rawls explains the legend of the red fern by writing, “The story went on to say that only an angel could plant the seeds of a red fern, and that they never died” (Rawls …show more content…
One example is when Billy is paying his respects to the grave of his dogs, he says, “‘Goodbye Old Dan and Little Ann. I’ll never forget you’” (Rawls 247). This connects to the red fern because the memories and love for Old Dan and Little Ann run deep within Billy. They can’t be seen on the surface but they are still there. Just as the roots of the red fern cannot be seen, but are there, running deep inside the Earth. Additionally, the roots of the red fern keep it standing up straight and tall while everything tries to blow it over. Likewise, Billy’s love and remembrance of his dogs help him stand tall when everything is trying to push him down. It helps Billy recall the important times spent with his dogs that will get him through the hardships. This interpretation of the red fern is involved with the theme saying people should always love others that are close, for this love will help through hard times. The feeling brought alive to the readers and characters by the red fern is love and
Every countryside has its own famous legend. In the Ozark mountains, the legend was of the red fern. Legend has it, that the red fern was found between two Native American children’s frozen bodies. It can only be planted by an angel and is immortal. This special plant is considered a miracle and a gift from the heavens. However, it was seen by a boy named Billy in the late 1900s. In Wilson Rawls’ realistic fiction, Where the Red Fern Grows, the red fern is presented as a symbol that illustrates more powerful ideas, such as the power of faith, deep love, and complementary, but opposite, forces. The influence of faith on Billy’s life has a significant impact on the understanding he has on his life’s events. For instance, Wilson Rawls explains the legend of the red fern by writing, “The story went on to say that only an angel could plant the seeds of a red fern, and that they never died” (Rawls …show more content…
One example is when Billy is paying his respects to the grave of his dogs, he says, “‘Goodbye Old Dan and Little Ann. I’ll never forget you’” (Rawls 247). This connects to the red fern because the memories and love for Old Dan and Little Ann run deep within Billy. They can’t be seen on the surface but they are still there. Just as the roots of the red fern cannot be seen, but are there, running deep inside the Earth. Additionally, the roots of the red fern keep it standing up straight and tall while everything tries to blow it over. Likewise, Billy’s love and remembrance of his dogs help him stand tall when everything is trying to push him down. It helps Billy recall the important times spent with his dogs that will get him through the hardships. This interpretation of the red fern is involved with the theme saying people should always love others that are close, for this love will help through hard times. The feeling brought alive to the readers and characters by the red fern is love and