A summary of Themes in Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castle. Strength from Hardship. Throughout the memoir, Mom and Dad claim that their hands-off parenting style will contribute to the ultimate betterment of their children because danger and hardship build character and resilience. For hundreds of years, an elite, awesomely wealthy Czarist regime ruled Russia, the rest of which largely consisted of peasants. That all came to an end during the February Revolution of 1917, which was precipitated by a number of economic, social, and political causes. One of his favorite stories to tell is his dream of the Glass Castle, a home he plans to build his family, entirely made of glass, as soon as they are able to find some gold and strike it rich. Jeannette's parents met in the desert years ago when Dad was still in the Air Force.
Book Summary
The Glass Castle Cliff Notes
A tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that, despite its profound flaws, gave the author the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
The Glass Castle is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Cretton, Andrew Lanham, and Marti Noxon. Nitro pro 10 download. It is based on Jeannette Walls ' 2005 best-selling memoir of the same name.
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. New version of macbook pro. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an 'excitement addict.' Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.
The Glass Castle Cliff Notes
Strength from Hardship
Apple store notebook. Throughout the memoir, Mom and Dad claim that their hands-off parenting style will contribute to the ultimate betterment of their children because danger and hardship build character and resilience. While nothing can justify their parents’ neglect, the children’s hard fight for survival doubtlessly helps them later in life, making it frustratingly difficult to entirely dismiss Mom and Dad’s assertion. We see this philosophy play out when Dad throws Jeannette in the Hot Pot over and over until she figures out how to swim. While Jeannette reacts with fear and anger immediately after this swimming lesson, Dad points out that she did, in fact, learn how to swim, implying that a positive result justifies the short-term trauma. Ultimately, the suffering caused by their parents’ recklessness produces the very qualities Jeannette and Lori need to move to New York City and create thriving careers out of nothing. For example, Jeannette’s experiences fighting bullies on the streets of Welch prepare her to face muggers in the South Bronx. John’s admiration of Jeannette’s scar also evokes this philosophy because he believes that this physical proof of suffering signifies her strength. In this way, the hardship Jeannette went through also helps her find love and acceptance.
Compassion vs. Boundaries
According to Mom’s philosophy, extending compassion to a person who has been through trauma requires allowing them to take their anger out on you without consequence. As it relates to her marriage, Mom’s her way of showing compassionate acceptance of Dad’s alcoholism means accepting the life of poverty, instability, physical danger, and starvation he inflicts upon the family. Mom encourages similar behavior when she reminds Jeannette that Billy Deel comes from a broken home and deserves kindness. Accordingly, Jeannette tries to show compassion by accepting Billy’s affection, which leads to him shooting a BB gun at her and her siblings. Jeannette begins to reject this conditioning when she refuses to forgive Erma for her racist opinions and abuse. When Uncle Stanley molests Jeannette, she doesn’t take Mom’s advice to allow his attacks simply because he’s lonely, but prioritizes her safety and avoids him. By the end of the memoir, Jeannette has learned to extend empathy without putting herself in danger, as evidenced by her continued relationship with her parents. While she continues to see them, she doesn’t allow them to live with her, both accepting them for who they are and protecting herself.
The Glass Castle Chapter And Page Numbers
Abuse
The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls Cliff Notes
Jeannette explores the way abusive relationships create a self-perpetuating cycle of abuse across generations. For example, Mom points out that many of the frightening people they meet, such as Billy Deel, come from broken households and abusive situations, meaning that their bad home lives contributed to their violent characters. Dad’s family in particular demonstrates the way abuse gets passed on through generations. Erma drinks constantly, suggesting that alcoholism runs in the family. When Dad takes Erma’s side after she molests Brian, the children deduce that Erma likely sexually abused Dad. Uncle Stanley also demonstrates sexually predatory behavior, implying that he also may have been a victim. However, Mom reveals that the chain of abuse did not begin with Erma. Orphaned as a young child, Erma lived with string of aunt and uncles who mistreated her for the rest of her childhood, and she took her pent-up rage out on her own children. This tragic pattern of abusers begetting abusers demonstrates the cyclical nature of abuse. When Jeannette and Lori protect Brian from Erma and refuse to ignore what happened, they offer us hope that the cycle can be broken.