Jeannette's Parents Negatively Influence Their Children

In this section of the novel Jeannette’s parents continue to actively influence their children in their bizarre, disconnected way of living. Continuing on their interminable travel routine between various cities, while failing to provide their children with the basic necessities that are needed. In Phoenix, the children experience their first encounter at a stable lifestyle. When provided with a substantial house and unexpected luxuries, Jeannette is reassured that the hope she has bestowed in her father has paid off expressing, “We were definitely moving up in the world.”(94). However, Jeannette fails to recognize the apparent lack of authority in her parents. For instance, Rex and Rose Mary insist on keeping the doors and windows open for airflow persistently. Until one night a perverted man comes into the house attempting to touch Jeannette in her sleep. Confronting her parents, Jeannette suggests they shut the doors at night but her parents won’t consider it. Jeannette justifies saying, “We needed fresh air, they said, and it was essential that we refuse to surrender to fear … so the windows stayed open.”(103). This depicts …show more content…
This makes being an individual in their society and ruling very straining. Especially as a child. Difficult measures force the kids to have to look out for each other and become independent early on, instead of focusing on problems normal children would experience, such as making friends or deciding what to wear to school. Another example of this is when Jeannette’s sister Lori needs glasses for school. Her mother refuses because she is unwilling to pay for them, acting like they are not a necessity, “ Nosiree, Mom said. She did’t approve of the glasses. If you had weak eyes, Mom believed, they needed exercise to get strong.”(96). Lori eventually gets glasses, it is the first time in which she ever sees with clear