Hershell's Home Analysis

Upon suffering a great loss, even the strongest of spirits can break under the pressure of grief. Such is the case of Hershell following the death of three of his children. Compared to many possible other circumstances that the survivors of the walking dead face, Hershell and his family seem to have a safe and comfortable environment to live in. Where as many are under constant threat from the zombies, there seems to be far less urgency in their case. Yet, almost like a disease himself, Rick’s interference shatters the situational utopia and agitates the balance that existed before he had arrived. Despite being only a guest in Hershell’s home, Rick takes it upon himself to challenge his host to no end, questioning the living situations, the

The group continuously prove that no matter where they venture and no matter how seemingly safe they are, there is always a risk for their survival. By believing that they would be safe if they stay at the farm, they effectively let their guard down and render themselves vulnerable to any attack that may come. By forcing their migration, Hershell may be forcing them to remain focused on their survival, as that seems to be the only time in which they are truly

Had Rick apologized for his brash and insensitive remarks and demands, the damage that he had done to his host’s pride would have partially been undone and his answer may have been different. Yet this would not last, Rick has proved himself time and time again that he is toxic to the survival of anyone around him. The acceptance of Glenn proves that Hershell is capable of compassion and is lenient in his demands. If Rick had appealed to him in a way that come across as nonthreatening instead of unleashing his emotional and hormonally unstable wife on an already grief stricken man, he seals his fate on the farm and ensures that he is no longer, by any means welcome there. The respect that should have been shown to Hershell is completely absent throughout the group’s stay. Despite his saving of Carl and providing the group with shelter and food, the demand for more than he was initially willing to offer grows. Had the group conducted themselves more respectfully and in a more appropriate matter, there could be a scenario in which they could find themselves staying at the farm, but at the point that they had left the farm, the situation was too far