Nature’s Defining of Swamplandia!’s Characters
In Karen Russell’s novel, Swamplandia!, all of the main characters’ identities are greatly impacted by their relationship with nature. Because of the Bigtree family’s strong connections with the wild environment of Swamplandia!, when they are taken out of this “natural habitat” of theirs they are no longer able to cope in the same way or retain their island character.
Ava Bigtree’s identity was closely interwoven with her life as an amateur gator wrestler in the Florida swamp. The young girl’s entire life and personality was defined by the persona she was given, mostly by her father, at the family theme park. Until she is raped by Birdman and fights off an alligator, Ava shows only blind trust …show more content…
On the swampy island he was an undefeated genius and that was his natural and familial role. In his move to town, however, he was forced to realize that while perhaps he had potential, he was not prepared for what the real world classified as “genius.”
Chief Bigtree’s relation with nature seemed to have a strengthening effect on him. He was defined by the hero he had developed for himself in Swamplandia!. There Chief was a mighty chief who could wrestle a gator. Out of nature, on the mainland, he transformed into a cowering wimp that men stronger than himself call “Sammy” (320) instead of “Chief,” indicating the lack of authority he holds.
Relocation from nature causes the Bigtree family to be seen exactly as they were. Ava was indoctrinated her entire life and her mind really was that of a gator wrestler’s, but she no longer had the physical inspiration on the mainland. Ossie was no longer allowed to cope through her imagination, so she had to resort to drugs administered by her doctors instead of hallucinations from a Ouija board. Kiwi and Chief go through similar experiences in that they are not able to be as strong or smart as they were in nature, where there was no competition for them. The Bigtree’s relationship with nature made them stronger people
In Karen Russell’s novel, Swamplandia!, all of the main characters’ identities are greatly impacted by their relationship with nature. Because of the Bigtree family’s strong connections with the wild environment of Swamplandia!, when they are taken out of this “natural habitat” of theirs they are no longer able to cope in the same way or retain their island character.
Ava Bigtree’s identity was closely interwoven with her life as an amateur gator wrestler in the Florida swamp. The young girl’s entire life and personality was defined by the persona she was given, mostly by her father, at the family theme park. Until she is raped by Birdman and fights off an alligator, Ava shows only blind trust …show more content…
On the swampy island he was an undefeated genius and that was his natural and familial role. In his move to town, however, he was forced to realize that while perhaps he had potential, he was not prepared for what the real world classified as “genius.”
Chief Bigtree’s relation with nature seemed to have a strengthening effect on him. He was defined by the hero he had developed for himself in Swamplandia!. There Chief was a mighty chief who could wrestle a gator. Out of nature, on the mainland, he transformed into a cowering wimp that men stronger than himself call “Sammy” (320) instead of “Chief,” indicating the lack of authority he holds.
Relocation from nature causes the Bigtree family to be seen exactly as they were. Ava was indoctrinated her entire life and her mind really was that of a gator wrestler’s, but she no longer had the physical inspiration on the mainland. Ossie was no longer allowed to cope through her imagination, so she had to resort to drugs administered by her doctors instead of hallucinations from a Ouija board. Kiwi and Chief go through similar experiences in that they are not able to be as strong or smart as they were in nature, where there was no competition for them. The Bigtree’s relationship with nature made them stronger people