The Role of Independence in Rule of the Bone
...act has some good intentions. But the only problem is his dependence on Russ. The separation from Russ begins at the Ridgeway's house when Bone realizes that not only does he not need Russ, but in fact the relationship between the two has switched so that Bone has adopted the position of leadership, and is making some of the most important decisions in their adventures. This is what led Russ to break off from Bone, because Russ knew that he was no longer the leader of the friendship, and therefore needed to start anew with someone else. Bone's independence is now growing. He handles himself very well on a series of adventures, and actually takes on someone who is dependent on him, Rose. The time the two of them and I-Man spend together is not a leader-follower relationship anymore, but now all three live off of each other in a symbiotic fashion. Each contributes something, and Bone is obviously happier now that he is an equal, and living a relatively peaceful existence. It should be noted that he is almost always calling himself "Bone" now, as it is the name which represents his independence. The time Bone spends with I-Man in the school bus is very important. It is here that he realizes that he is capable of doing things on his own, and yet he always has a friend whom he can talk to, while not be dependent on. Banks makes the point here that it was essential for Bone's development that he have such a relationship, so that he could learn what an independent person must do by asking questions from I-Man, who has been independent most of his life. There is one other very important occurrence which happens at this stage of the story is the change in Bone's attitude towards drugs, especially marijuana. During his time at home and with Russ, Bone was very greedy about the drug and would take as much of it as he could. But once he goes to live with I-Man and is growing his own, Bone loses this aspect and is able to smoke only at certain times during the day. This is another part of him growing independent. He does not need the drug all the time and have progressed to only using it to relax. The addict-like need that he had previously, seemed to die with his friendship to Russ. Bone is truly independent once he adapts to life in Jamaica. He does what he wants to do and is able to go directly against what people like his father tell him to do. But there is a reason that he goes against these people, and that is because he realizes just how much independence he actually has. Bone's father has this kind of independence, and he leads a life that many people might love. He does whatever he wants to do and acts totally on his own choice. But he also does not lead a "good" life, and Bone knows this. Doc is immoral, a crook, and all he does is smoke marijuana every day. The development of Bone is most evident right here. He makes the choice not to follow in his father's footsteps and lead such a life. The option to live l...