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Analysis Of The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls

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Starting as a precocious three-year-old child, to ending as a very successful writer, Jeannette Walls recounts the eventful childhood she had in her 2005 memoir, The Glass Castle. Walls’ unconventional, nomadic, and less-fortunate upbringing is told in detail that makes it easy for one to imagine themselves right along side her throughout her adventurous past. Walls grew up constantly “doing the skedaddle” around America with her dysfunctional parents, whose views on life are not exactly typical (Walls 17). Even so, Walls managed to write about her parents using an immense amount of respect, which must have been very difficult at times. Her mother struggles to support her family financially, yet supports them with inspirational advice. The …show more content…

One reader might ask her how she managed not to ever condemn her parents, even when their actions evidently upset her. Walls always highly regarded them and believed in them, “I figured I was strong enough to keep Dad in line…my chance to prove that Dad could be managed came that summer, once school was out” (Walls 208). Many readers probably wonder how she saw beauty and goodness in situations that others would not. The way Walls still loves a doll that she accidently defaces is an example of how she is optimistic and positive she is: “Tinkerbelle’s once perfect little nose had completely disappeared, and her saucy red lips had been replaced with an ugly, lopsided smear… Even though her face was melted, she was still my favorite toy” (Walls 16). This reader would certainly like to tell Walls that she did an incredible job of spinning an amazing story out of some pretty unfortunate …show more content…

Though Rosemary’s character may be selfish, weak, and illogical, her unique perspectives and ideas about life give one a lot to think about. When she had a miscarriage, she said, "God knows what He's doing… He gave me some perfect children, but He also gave me one that wasn't so perfect, so He said, 'Oops, I better take this one back'" (Walls 28). Rosemary’s advice for her children is so apt, that even the readers will remember it for the rest of their lives. This reader certainly will. An example of how she gives valuable life lessons is when she replies to Jeannette’s comment on hating her grandmother: “You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love the person for that” (Walls 144). Rosemary is confident, a free spirit, an “excitement addict”, and independent (Walls 93). She may not be the person to fully depend on, but she successfully broadens readers’ view on the way life should be

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