Family is a central theme in many literary works, and "Salvage the Bones" by Jesmyn Ward is no exception. The novel follows the lives of the Batiste family, a poor African-American family living in a small town in Mississippi. The novel is set in the days before Hurricane Katrina, and the storm is the backdrop to the family's struggles, both before and after the disaster. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The novel is narrated by Esch, the family's fourteen-year-old daughter. She is the second eldest of three siblings and the only girl. Esch and his siblings, Skeetah and Junior, are raised by their mother and father, both of whom are absent from the family. Their mother died and their father does not live with them. They are raised by their older brother, Skeetah, and their mother's ghost. Esch is a very strong and determined character, strongly protective of his family. Throughout the novel, Esch reflects on the importance of family. A quote from the novel that highlights the theme of family is: "We're all just bones, trying to find something to keep us together." This quote speaks to the idea that family is the foundation that holds us together and provides us with a sense of belonging and security. Despite the hardships the Batiste family faces, they are always there for each other and rely on their shared bond to survive. The novel also explores the theme of poverty and the ways in which it affects the Batiste family. The family is poor and struggles to make ends meet. They live in a small, dilapidated house and have little money to buy food or other basic necessities. Despite their poverty, they are a close-knit family and make the best of what they have. They are always there for each other and find ways to make things work, even when things are difficult. Another theme of the novel is race. Esch and his family are African American and live in a small town in Mississippi where racism is still a real problem. They are constantly victims of discrimination and have to work hard to survive in a society that is often hostile to them. Despite this, they are determined to create a better life for themselves and their family. They are proud of their heritage and are unwilling to let racism defeat them. The novel is set in the past, but is still very relevant to our time as it addresses issues of poverty, race, and the impact of natural disasters. on communities. The novel is a compelling story that illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of family in times of crisis. It reminds us that even in the most difficult circumstances, people can find the strength to survive and even thrive, as long as they have the support of their loved ones. Furthermore, the philosopher Aristotle once said: "The family is the foundation of the state." This quote highlights the importance of the family unit in shaping society and the country. Without strong, healthy families, communities and states cannot thrive. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward is an amazing story that explores the theme of family through the eyes of a young girl named Esch. The novel is set in the days before Hurricane Katrina and deals with issues of poverty, race, and the impact of natural disasters on communities. The novel is a compelling story that illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of family in times of crisis. It reminds us that even in the most difficult circumstances, people can find the strength to.