“Big Bad Love”
“Big Bad Love” is set in a dilapidated environment characterized by broken items, old playing toys, a shabby structure that provides shelter to the homeless children, insufficient supplies of food staff, and clothes. It is in such conditions that the troubled children, including Diamond, find a surprising fair share of care and love. The narrator works in the foster home, taking care of the distressed children, and hence, she has to help them adapt, make them happy, and feel loved. Therefore, by developing a close relationship with Diamond, who seems more distressed than the others, I believe that the narrator is merely doing her job as a staff in the foster home.
It is typical for a caregiver to show great concern to those who find it more challenging to adjust to the new home and state, perhaps based on one’s background, and the level of trauma they must have gone through. Besides, the depth and nature of past experiences significantly influence how a child fits in a new environment and in a foster home for that matter. The story starts by elaborating on how Diamond desperately seeks the attention of the narrator to the point of making herself bitten by ants. Once the narrator gets her attention on her, their relationship starts there and then.
In my opinion, the narrator is more committed to caring for neglected children. Given the various abuse and torment most go through, it is likely they forget or assume no one cares or loves them. As such, the narrator is dedicated to reminding them that despite the past experiences, there is still someone who is genuinely concerned about them. Moreover, considering Diamond’s actions in looking for the narrator’s attention, it is evident that the abandoned and hurting girl wants assurance that someone cares for her. At first, Diamond intentionally pulls up her wagon in front of the narrator and drops the handle. After noting that the narrator ignores her, she proceeds to throw it to the narrator’s legs but again ignores her. At this point, Diamond decides to do the unimaginable and stand on an anthill caring less about the ant bites and the pain, but in fraught need for attention.
I believe from her experiences; the narrator noticed how desperate Diamond was. Also, Diamond must have gone through horrifying trauma, and the only way to help her out and make her appreciate life and live happily is by having a friend she could talk and confide to. Importantly, it is only by establishing a close relationship that could have assured the hurting girl that she is cared for and had no reason to fear or resort to disperate behaviors. The narrator allows the little girl to comb her hair. Also, she takes her around while doing her daily routines. Through these activities, Diamond learns to trust the narrator. Notably, as an employee, the narrator is supposed to make the abandoned kids find an accommodating dwelling in the foster home despite the prevailing circumstances.
In conclusion, the narrator provides Diamond with a friend, makes her feel loved, and adapts to the new conditions. Besides, the story illustrates that the narrator is attached to the rest of the kids as well. Notably, she takes them to swim and lets them accompany her while going shopping, which makes the girls love her and enjoy her company. Therefore, the narrator is only doing her work in caring for and loving Diamond and the other young girls.