The parallels and differences between how Dutch talks about Annabelle and how Hosea talks about Bessie is so so very important to me. The only thing we really know about Annabelle is her death and how it affected Dutch. How it “fuels” Dutches hatred towards colm. ( though I think he’s really just using her death a front) we don’t know anything else about her. But Dutch “loved” her and the only thing we hear is of her death and how it affects DUTCH. We don’t hear about how she afffeted anyone else. What she was like.
Hosea in comparison speaks of Bessie in a mournful, bittersweet yet beautiful way. We SEE how Bessie’s death affected Hosea, but we never get told how she died. That is never once brought up. But Hosea DOES tell us many stories of how he and her wanted to get out, how they traveled, how she loved him regardless of the fact he was an outlaw. Hosea doesn’t need to directly tell us he loved Bessie bc it pours out of his soul with every breath he speaks of her. Dutch NEEDS to mention that he loved Annabelle because the only thing he ever talks about is her death and how it’s an excuse to continue his violent behavior.