Jeanette Walls is a writer who is also a journalist. Jeanette was born in Phoenix Arizona. She attended an affiliate college of Colombia University called Barnard College where she graduated with honors. The Glass Castle written in 2005 is one currently her bestselling novel. Jeanette Walls grew up in a stubborn family that refused to conform to the demands of the immediate society. Her parents non-conformity according to most people, was their not only a source of blessing but also a curse. Besides Jeanette, the family also had three other children. In their younger ages, the family lived like nomads moving across the southwest desert towns and camping in the mountains. Her father, Rex, was a charismatic man who captured the imagination of his children. Rose, Jeanette’s mother did not stand the responsibility of caring for the children. She often referred to herself as an “addict of excitement”. She painted and wrote articles inspired Jeanette to take after her mother in the ideas of writings. Jeanette Walls is one of the most amazing contemporary writers in America because of the ease at which she grabbed the opportunity when it came by. Despite all that she went through, she still describes her parents with a tender affection and love. Jeanette lives in New York where she is married to a writer called John Taylor.
Part 1
The story opens with Jeannette, her author and the main character sitting in a taxi and question whether she is dressed well for the evening. When she sees through the window, she sees her mother scavenging on a dumpster. She immediately recognizes her usual gestures even though she is midst of many people in the spring weather of March. Before this time, months had passed before the two saw each other. However, she is overcome with grief that her mother might see her. She tells the taxi driver to take her back home. She then attempts to listen to Vivaldi as an attempt to settle down. She then sits in her favorite room while thinking of all the possessions that she has. Then she thinks of her mom and dad suffering huddled on sidewalk grate somewhere.
A thought comes to her to call her mother’s friend so that her mother can call her from the phone. This is the way that she talks to her mother. Her mother then calls and they make plans for lunch at her mother’s favorite Chinese restraint in town. Her mother arrives and Jeanette can see that she attempted to clean herself so that she would not be embarrassed. Still, she is still able to see grime on her neck and pimples. After the food, she fills her packet with all the remains; a symbol that chances like this comes rare. Even though she is in this situation, she does not fail to amaze, the first thing she talks about is Picasso. She is critical of his work and thinks that he is overrated for nothing. At this time, Jeanette is concerned of what she can do for her parents, and she takes this time so she can talk about it. In her heart, she would like to help her mother so she can live a fairly decent life. However, Rose tells her daughter that her values are not in line. According to Rose, she is fine and happy. She says “Your father and I are who we are. Accept it” (p.8).
Part 2
Jeanette takes us back to his early childhood memory. The first impression is her cooking hotdogs. She is only three years old and is allowed to boil hot dogs on the stove while her mother is painting. In the process, her clothe catches fire but she refuses to cry until the fire catches her eyelashes and hair. When her mother hears her cry, she grabs a blanket and wraps her on it. Her dad had left with the car so her mother asks a woman friend to take her to the hospital.
When they arrive in the hospital, the nurse tells them that she is going to be okay. The doctors ask Jeannette how she got burned and what happened. They have a feeling that it is perhaps her parents that hurt her. She replies that the cut and burn came from playing outside and from cooking hotdogs. The authorities are concerned at how her mother raises her.
Even though his father a sweet talker and good engineer, he has a problem with the drink. He likes to tell the story Glass Castle. This is the home he plans to build for his family, a home that is entirely made out of glass, this he plans to do when they strike gold and get rich. Jeannette met parents met when the father was in the air force. They live a nomadic lifestyle. They lost a nine-month old daughter who was born before Jeanette. After losing the baby, her father’s mood grew darker and he lost in life. The only thing he dreams about is the Glass Castle.
Part 3
In part 3, the family moves around the country moving slowly because the farther cannot drive any faster. When they arrive in West Virginia, the children meet their paternal grandparents. Erma and Ted for the first time as well as their uncle. Erma is hard woman; she takes them to the basement where they will live until they find their own place. Jeanette dislikes her new family. The town is impoverished and their seem to be no life. The family stays hopeful even though there is little sign of progress. Later on, the family ran out of money and the romance associated with wandering died down. The family decided to settle down in West Virginia. Rex became a drunkard, stealing money from the grocery and escaping for days. The family situation got worse. Jeanette and her brothers had to fend for themselves relying on each other for support until they eventually left home. Other children also out of the house.
Part 4
The children’s lives take shape. Brian moves in Maureen so that they can be there for each other. Jeannette is in college in New York city and saves on rent living as a nanny. Brian is a police officer. The family meets regularly at dinner. The family is not faring better. The father is in and out of jail for stealing, and the mother is getting poorer as art is not selling. One day while listening on radio, Jeanette hears of a van that broke down on the highway, turns out its parents van. The parents had decided to move to New York and are basically homeless. Jeannette becomes a successful writer while other brothers and sister equally do well in their lives. The father dies in this chapter.
Part 5
The family meets for thanksgiving. Maureen is flying in from California to meet with them. Mother is happy to have a thanksgiving with the children. A lot has happened and the chance to be together is inspiring for whole family.
Characters
Jeannette is the narrator of the story. Through her we get to know the experience of other characters. From her, we get to know that her mother Rose is a qualified teacher, an artist, but selfish and not concerned about the regular lives of her children. We also get to know her father Rex walls, a genius in engineering and mathematics. He had served in the air force. He is a nomad and does not like the conventional way of life. This risk taking nature finally renders him to alcoholism and failure as father. However, we must understand that Rex Walls also comes from a history of an abusive and racist family lead by Erma Walls. She sexually abused her grandson Brian. Maureen is the youngest of the Walls children; she is violent, mentally unstable and prone to conflicts. She gets into a fight with Erma walls. She is eventually sent a mental institution.
Plot of the story
Although a successful journalist, Jeanette Walls writes about her horrific childhood that she experienced. She writes about being raised by an alcoholic father, manipulative and selfish mother, a strongly dysfunctional family yet vibrant and loving at the same time. They learn the skill of self reliance while living in the desert, live in hardship in West Virginia as well as homeless people in New York.
Setting: The story is set in the deserts of south western United States, the coast of Virginia and the concrete jungle of New York. The story is told on the point of view of Jeanette. She is the writer and teller of the story.
Theme: Perhaps the most important theme in the story is fearlessness and loyalty. Regardless of the hardship that the family faces, the children have learned very early that they must be self reliant. Their parents have taught them the skills of self- survival. No matter how hard the children might face adversity, they will learn how to live and to survive their own way. Family thus becomes the most important aspect of life.
