Jeannette Walls Theme

In the book, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls the author showed us how her and her siblings Lori, Brain, and Maureen were raised in a dysfunctional home. The Walls children learned how to survive and depend on each other for support. While growing up Jeannette and her siblings’ basic human needs were being neglected in many ways such as emotional, physical and medical. According to Dictionary.com the word neglect means to pay no attention or too little attention to. Their mother, Rose Mary was extremely narcissistic and their father Rex suffered from alcoholic addition.
Rose Mary worried about just herself and her needs way too much that it made her emotionally unavailable for her children She believed that parents who showed any emotions towards their children can cause …show more content…
Jeannette was physically touched by her uncle and all Rose Mary did was nod her head and gave Jeannette a lecture about how many women would make a big deal out of things like that. Jeannette had to cook for herself when she was three because her mother was too busy painting in the next room. While cooking Jeannette suffered from a server burn and not long after her mother was complementing her about getting back into cooking for herself. “Good for you,” Mom said when she saw me cooking.” Page 15 When everyone was suffering from hunger Rose Mary did not cared about anyone but herself. She would hide herself while eating a chocolate bar and when she was caught by Brain she took the role as a child. “Mom started crying. “I can’t help it,” she sobbed. “I’m a sugar addict, just like your father is an alcoholic.” Page 174 Beside Rose Mary lacked of physical support Rex was just as worst as she is. He would leave the kids inside the car while the engine was still on just so he can escape a medical bill. “Dad left us kids waiting in the car with the engine idling while he went in for mom.” Page