Shades of Gray

Before moving in with Uncle Jed and Aunt Ella, there is no evidence that Will has come across anyone in his life who sees things differently than he does. He shares his father’s exact views on the world, and neither his mother nor his older brother is presented as having shown him any other views. Everyone around him believes in the value of owning enslaved people and in the value of fighting for states’ rights in the Civil War. Doc Martin tries to give him some insight into why Uncle Jed may not have fought in the war, but Will is too consumed with anger and hatred to hear him and understand what he is saying.

Through conversations with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, Will encounters different views. Through his cousin Meg, he begins to understand his city and wealth biases. When Meg and Will arrive at the river to fish, Will tells his cousin how the river pales in comparison to the Shenandoah. This disparaging comment frustrates Meg, and she calls him out for believing everything in the city is better than it is in the country. Until this point, Will does not realize that he is doing this.