Behind My Mother's Eyes

Her eyes were glimmering from the sunshine's glare. Her face, less aged and tinted with a faint smile. That smile, oh how that smile hasn't been shown in such a long while. In the last thirty minutes of Winter's Bone, Ree's mother shows a slight change in expression. This expression emphasized a turn around in the climax of the film. Her smile, lost and unspoken, made an inclination to the viewers that the struggles the family faced were getting better. In my opinion, this is a crucial part in the film because the mother's smile represents affection towards another individual. She is proud. She is proud of Ree fighting. She is proud of Ree for finding the truth about her "run away" father. I believe the mother's personality helps her to acquire knowledge because she has an illness herself that blocks her from helping those she cares about the most. This mental illness (depression) makes one feel weak, dependent, and unfocused. These physical traits of a severe illness are opposite of those traits we believe our mothers possess. Mothers are supposed to be strong, independent, loving, and forever-giving.  Due to this illness, the mother becomes lost and unspoken. This is shown throughout the film. The personality of Ree's mother acquires knowledge because she is never forgotten; she's always there. The smile informs the viewers that the mother hasn't been lost in society. The smile indicates that Ree's mother is trying to overcome her biggest obstacle. Because of Ree finding the remains of her father, the family ends up staying together. The smile appeared when the good news was revealed. The smile appeared because she had won the battle. That smile, just like the Mona Lisa, has secrets that have never been told. That smile unique and kind will forever be mysterious to those who know what hides behind the eyes that look beyond the smile.