Introduction
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a very well written summary of her life. Walls’s unique writing techniques draw in the audience and keep them on their toes. One of the elements of the book I really enjoyed was the element of surprise. Just when I thought their lives were turning around, something tragic would happen. The story is a very real look into the lives of just one family living an impoverished lifestyle. Jeannette gives her readers not only a taste of what it is like to live in poverty, but many other family issues. Something else I valued in this book was the success stories of the Walls’s children. Although Maureen does not get the happily ever after that her siblings do, she is still getting the help she needs. …show more content…
Research gives evidence of academic failure among students who are living in poverty for many reasons. Whether they are not getting enough food and cannot focus, or they simply do not have the extensive vocabulary that they need to succeed in the classroom, teaching children who live in poverty may be seen as a challenge. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of what some children living in an impoverished family may experience. In the book, Brian and Jeannette are put in special education classes due to a learning disability. Unfortunately, their disability is defined as “unable to understand” because of the accents the children and the principal have. One of the most inspiring characters in the book, Miss Jeannette Bivens, helps uncover Jeannette’s love for literature and journalism. Miss Bivens did not assume that Jeannette was “special” or had a learning disability solely based on her socioeconomic status. It is not uncommon for teachers to categorize children with a low socioeconomic status as special needs because they do not want to take the time to learn more about the student and understand how they can strengthen their weaknesses. Understanding what children experience when their families are moving from place to place and doing what they can do make money can be extremely beneficial to any authority figure, especially teachers. In the future, I may be dealing with children with a similar background as …show more content…
I would describe Rose Mary as very selfish. One example of Rose Mary’s selfish acts occurs when Brian and Jeannette find the diamond ring on the edge of their property. After the kids suggested to get it appraised, we find out that it is a genuine two-carat diamond. Rose Mary says that they will not sell it for money and instead, she will keep it. Jeannette explains that the ring could get them food, in which Rose Mary responds “that’s true…but it could also improve my self-esteem. And at times like these, self-esteem is even more vital than food” (Jeannette Walls, 2005, p. 186). Rose Mary wanted the ring to act as a replacement to the ring Rex pawned for money in the years
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a very well written summary of her life. Walls’s unique writing techniques draw in the audience and keep them on their toes. One of the elements of the book I really enjoyed was the element of surprise. Just when I thought their lives were turning around, something tragic would happen. The story is a very real look into the lives of just one family living an impoverished lifestyle. Jeannette gives her readers not only a taste of what it is like to live in poverty, but many other family issues. Something else I valued in this book was the success stories of the Walls’s children. Although Maureen does not get the happily ever after that her siblings do, she is still getting the help she needs. …show more content…
Research gives evidence of academic failure among students who are living in poverty for many reasons. Whether they are not getting enough food and cannot focus, or they simply do not have the extensive vocabulary that they need to succeed in the classroom, teaching children who live in poverty may be seen as a challenge. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of what some children living in an impoverished family may experience. In the book, Brian and Jeannette are put in special education classes due to a learning disability. Unfortunately, their disability is defined as “unable to understand” because of the accents the children and the principal have. One of the most inspiring characters in the book, Miss Jeannette Bivens, helps uncover Jeannette’s love for literature and journalism. Miss Bivens did not assume that Jeannette was “special” or had a learning disability solely based on her socioeconomic status. It is not uncommon for teachers to categorize children with a low socioeconomic status as special needs because they do not want to take the time to learn more about the student and understand how they can strengthen their weaknesses. Understanding what children experience when their families are moving from place to place and doing what they can do make money can be extremely beneficial to any authority figure, especially teachers. In the future, I may be dealing with children with a similar background as …show more content…
I would describe Rose Mary as very selfish. One example of Rose Mary’s selfish acts occurs when Brian and Jeannette find the diamond ring on the edge of their property. After the kids suggested to get it appraised, we find out that it is a genuine two-carat diamond. Rose Mary says that they will not sell it for money and instead, she will keep it. Jeannette explains that the ring could get them food, in which Rose Mary responds “that’s true…but it could also improve my self-esteem. And at times like these, self-esteem is even more vital than food” (Jeannette Walls, 2005, p. 186). Rose Mary wanted the ring to act as a replacement to the ring Rex pawned for money in the years