The two older sistere's

I find it interesting and sad as well that people don't notice the (behind the scenes) work of a woman. After reading these posts, I watched the movie again to see how it is that Devola doesn't "do crap." Actually, she does quite alot, although she is a more wife/mother figure while Mary Call has the toughness needed to deal with the snoopy neighbors situations etc. Like a husband and wife, the girls seem to compliment each other. What I observed was Devola cooking the meals, cleaning, taking care of Ima Dean and out wildcrafting and working with Mary Call and the two kids. I'd have to say it was really both Devola and Mary Call who were taking care of the family even though Mary Call had the stubborn, fiery, I'm in charge personality and Devola was more gentle and calm and patient, the perfect traits of a model wife and mother(homemaker). We see this in several scenes when she comments on Mary Call's snappish attitude with the two little ones, telling her to be more patient with Romey and also taking charge and taking the kids for a ride to get them calmed down. Romey and Ima Dean were just children and needed both Mary Call's firmness and directness and Devola's motherly gentleness and patience. In a very interesting way, it also seems that it is Devola who is more in charge then Mary Call, as it is Devola who keeps the peace. Not many sixteen/seventeen year olds would allow themselves to be ordered around by a hot tempered fourteen year old, but Devola never snaps back or fights with Mary Call. She handles these situations with the maturity and grace of a strong woman not an immature child. In this sense, although Mary Call feels "in charge" and in many ways, is, it is Devola who is truly in charge in many ways. While some people may interpret the scene as childishness, I myself like the scene where Devola chases the pig with Romey and Ima Dean. She is being a mother. The children work very hard and a few minutes of laughter and playfulness is good for them. Most mothers take time to play with their children. If one has read the book (as I have done), Devola does appear to be somewhat retarded or more accurately developmentally delayed in some areas, a "softening" of retardation is not what is portrayed in the movie. What we we see in the movie, is a relatively mature young woman who knows whats important and acts accordingly.