The Walking Dead Family Structure

Throughout The Walking Dead Volume 5: “The Best Defense,” the group is faced with very tough situations. Confronted with the chaos-causing bloodthirsty zombies, Rick and the others have to make vital decisions on the fly just to stay alive. However, it is not always the undead that force the humans into uncomfortable places; often it is other headhunting humans that cause this anarchist state. It is obvious their chances of survival are far greater in a group, or family per se, compared to being alone. It is important to realize that after such devastation, the traditional family model will change. Instances such as death and collaboration would change the people you see and perceive as family. Along with having to readapt to their surroundings,

The most prominent difference in family structure would be when Dale and Andrea adopt Billy and his twin brother, Ben, after their father’s death. Dale and Andrea have to sit down with the boys and explain to them the situation; dale explains, “’Andrea and I are going to take care of you now. We’re going to make sure you’re fed and safe…’” (39). This is a new experience for both parties. Dale and Andrea had to do their best to become first-class parents; dale confirms “’ We’re parents, now we gotta be bright eyed and bushy-taled [sic] tomorrow for the little ones…. We’re parents now we have to be responsible’” (62) to Andrea. The boys also do not know what to expect and how to react. The boys are speechless except one of the twins asks, “’ are you our new Mommy and Daddy?’” (39). Back in Woodbury The Governor made noble attempts to hold onto the only family he had left after the apocalypse. However, his daughter, Penny, is a zombie; The Governor has her chained up and feeds her human parts such as ricks hand. The governor arrived home to find that Penny had knocked her bucket of food over and he scolded, “ you need to be more careful. If you knock your bucket over it will roll out of your reach. I raised you better than this” (101). The Governor has convinced himself that his daughter still has her

Behind the safety of the fence at the prison Rick and the others verify that the A-block is safe by making rounds and checking every inch persistently. During the last round Rick claims, “’when we finally spread out into the rest of this prison this place is going to be really nice’” (6). Rick knows that their situation in the prison will be much more enjoyable if they are able to safely reach out to all areas. As Carol and Lori discus their options of moving over to A-Block Carol inquires if Lori and her family are moving and Lori replies “’no I think we’re just going to spread out here – move some furniture into the cells around us. Have a sitting room. Carl’s own bedroom, thing like that’” (32). Lori knew that even though they are not moving, with the newly vacant cells her family can spread out. Dale and Andrea are excited to move to boys over to the new part of the prison. Andrea explains “’ we’re going to be moving over to the other side of the prison tomorrow so that you guys can have a room all to yourself’” (39). Andrea believed that the twins are mature enough to feel safe without a parental figure. On the contrary when Rick, Glenn, and Michonne are out in search of the crashed helicopter and they plan on ensuing the unknown footsteps to find their origin. Glenn not necessarily liking the idea complains, “’oh, right – like I’m