Analytical Essay On The Bean Trees

In the last section of The Bean Trees, Kingsolver continues to elaborate the need for others when hardships arise and allowing the theme to further grow. When Taylor goes to a lookout with Mattie, Estevan, and Esperanza upon her return she discovers a man attacked Turtle in the park which leds to her conclusion that “...all in one piece as far as I could see, but Turtle was changed. All these months we had spent together were gone for her. I knew it from her eyes…” (222). This incident not only leads to a huge setback for Turtle, but Taylor blames herself and her once trusted community for what happened. Angry, Taylor withdraws from the child who feels she has let down “there’s just so damn much ugliness. Everywhere you look, some big guy kicking some little person when they’re down” (229). Obviously, Taylor feels the world is an unfair place due to much of the problems Turtle has had to face and life with. Taylor shuts down and gives up and states to Lou Ann that “ why should I, Lou Ann? Why should I think Turtle’s better off in a state home? At least there they know how to take care of kids. They won’t let anything happen to her” (235). Taylor blames herself and completely gives up on Turtle because she feels that she’s failed her. This decline leads to a greater need for family and community. Mattie notices the decline in Taylor and decides to give her advice “You’re asking yourself, Can I give this child the best possible upbringing and …show more content…
“That house where we live with Dwayne Ray? We’ll be there before you know it.” But it didn’t seem to matter to Turtle, she was happy where she was. The sky went from dust-color to gray and then cool black sparked with stars, and she was still awake. She watched the dark highway and entertained me with her vegetable-soup song, except that now there were people mixed in with the beans and potatoes: Dwayne Ray, Mattie, Esperanza, Lou Ann and all the rest. And me. I was the main ingredient.