In Appalachia people have certain sets of values that they have. They are no different from any other types of people, in this perspective. The one value that we have picked though has to do with possessions over people, or vice versa. In this story, The Rosewood Casket, it shows this value often. Take Charles Martin for example. The guy loves to play his guitar. He would play his guitar for years before playing with his daughter for 20 minutes. The man drives an expensive car, he has expensive clothing, and so it's just out there that he is a materialistic person. Appalachians have the trait of the mindset of, "blood is thicker than water". Now take Clayt. This man cares about his land and keeping it in the family. He cares about passing the tradition on down to his children and doesn't care what other people thinks about the way he does things. This man is all about people over possessions. When looking at these characters you see how much they compare and contrast with their ideals and values. Like Frank Whitescarver, this man cares nothing about other people's feelings. All he wants is to find another way to make a buck. He really couldn't care less if he's tossing a family out on the street with nothing. All he wants is what's good for him. He's a prime example of possessions over people. I find this whole topic to be fascinating. It's in a way funny to see how people are when it comes to dealing with themselves and others. Most people pick themselves. There are people out there though, that are good enough to do something for their brother or sister in the world, and you decide who from this book is that way.
One character that is a great candidate for displaying the Appalachian value of "People over Possessions" in some way or another is Charles Martin. Charles is a very complex character, and he exemplifies this Appalachian value several times, most often in a negative context. The first time Charles really shows "People over Possessions" is really the last time too.
