Rex Walls Fatherhood

Rex Walls was the father of Lori, Jeannette, Brian, and Maureen and the husband of Rose Mary Walls. Not only was Rex “an alcoholic genius who kept his family in bizarrely abject poverty” (Wineke) but he was also a magnificent electrician and spent most of his time sketching blueprints for future plans. He was extremely prideful and often needed reassurance of his capability as a provider to his family. Although Rex was a loving father, he was often absent in his children’s lives. He couldn't stand the thought of not being self-supported and was so fraught with paranoia that he spent the majority of his life “doing the skedaddle” (Walls 19) with his family and avoiding bill collectors. Rex’s kids- including the narrator of The Glass Castle, Jeannette- had always known that there was a mystery to their father, and would come to solve the mystery while going through some of the toughest times of their lives. Rex is truly the personification of …show more content…
He lived with his mother, Erma, and his father, name. Living with them was a lot easier said than done. Childhood, past family.
Throughout his childhood, Rex was sexually abused by Erma. When Jeannette and the rest of the kids realize this, they conclude that this discovery explains so much about the mystery of their dad. Not only did it explain why he never wanted his family to visit Welch along with the rest of his family, but it also reveals the main cause of his alcoholism. The way it impacted dad. How it changed his behavior. Who he is.
His relationship with Rose Mary. Dysfunctional. Family. Kids. His life now. Entrepreneur, electrician. Alcoholism. Substance abuse. Bars. Possible cheating.
The glass castle. Symbolism behind it. Why he wants to be free of his past.
How Jeanneatte helps him. Behavior as family loses faith in him.
Sickness and death. Impact on the