Analysis Of The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls

Few things inspire readers more than true stories of human triumph. The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls, is the story of how a girl in an unthinkable situation overcomes the challenges life presents her. Jeannette Walls and her three siblings suffer severe trauma and hardship at the hands of their irresponsible and self-centered parents. From going days on end without food to almost being raped with the approval of her father, Jeannette endures and emerges as an accomplished author who gracefully and meticulously guides the reader through the story of her life. The negligence and trauma that Jeanette’s parents inflict upon her not only force her to mature at a very young age but also instill her with a strength and perseverance that ultimately lead to her survival and success. …show more content…
Rose Mary’s self-centeredness and obliviousness blinds her to the severity of the trauma she inflicts upon her children. One of the most obvious examples of this neglect occurs when Jeannette and her younger brother, Brian, finds? an expensive ring and bring it to their mother. Jeannette tells Rose Mary that the ring could pay for months of food: “‘That’s true,’ Mom said, ‘but it could also improve my self-esteem. And,? at times like these, self-esteem is even more vital than food’” (186). Self-esteem is more important than food when your kids go days on end without eating? Rose Mary’s nonchalant worry about her children's well-being is incomprehensible. Nevertheless, Jeannette and her siblings continue to adapt and figure out a way to