What is the main conflict in Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison?

Bastard Out of Carolina spans the life of a young girl named Ruth Anne, but dubbed Bone when an uncle speculated that the new baby was, “no bigger than a knucklebone.” The book focuses on Bone’s life from the age of five through thirteen.

The story takes place in Greenville County, South Carolina, and centers around the Boatwright family: Granny, Anney, Raylene, Alma, Ruth, Earle, Beau, and Nevil. They are dirt-poor, hard drinkers, fiercely loyal to one another, and known for their quick, violent tempers.

Anney is Bone’s 16-year old unwed mother. Bone is born after a car accident initiates an early labor. Because Anney is unconscious after the birth, and because her family can’t name the father of the child, Bone’s birth certificate is issued with the word “Illegitimate” stamped across the bottom in large red letters. Anney spends years trying to get the offending word removed but with no success.