The Role Of Taylor In The Bean Tree, By Barbara Kingsolver

When an individual is placed in a situation in which they are required to take responsibility for themselves and others. Conflict can often arise if the individual's attention is torn when both responsibilities are at need at the same time, forcing the individual to make a fast decision and quickly prioritize. It is in situations like this that an individual grows and matures through learning what is important to them. This idea is demonstrated by Taylor, the protagonist in Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Bean Tree, when she initially cannot handle the role of a mother while also tending to herself but fortunately by the end of the narrative, Taylor steps up and learns to balance her own life as well as her responsibility for Turtle, showing …show more content…
The role of a parent while unfamiliar seems simple at the beginning. Taylor continues to operate as she has in the past finding a job and a safe place to stay. Initially she "stays [working] at the Broken Arrow through most of the holidays" (48) so she can save up some money for the future. Portraying she is trying her hardest to make sure she and Turtle are secure. Taylor constantly takes the initiative to make sure they would always have a roof over their heads by looking at roommate ads. It is responsibilities like this that are within Taylors comfort zone as she has had the opportunity to help out with rent in her past. As Taylor and Turtle settle into a more permanent place to stay more responsibilities for Turtle arise. Taylor is now overwhelmed and is unable to comprehend what responsibilities she should be tending to first. Taylor is often wanting to leave Turtle behind while she visits or does things with her new friends, but it seems she is set back as she is trying to raise a child and she always needs someone to watch over Turtle while she is off other places. Taylor allows multiple new faces to take care of Turtle with no questions asked. Sadly this irresponsible mistake leads to a larger problem that demands Taylor's immediate attention. While Taylor is with friends, she allows an unqualified acquaintance to care for Turtle. During this time Turtle is attacked “she [is] shaken up, and there [is] finger-shaped bruises on her shoulder”(223). After finding this information out Taylor, just “Le[aves] her there, with the police”(227) so she can “chase [a] dumb bird” (227) out of the neighbor's home. This is when it becomes apparent Taylor is unable to handle the overwhelming amount of responsibilities, and she fails