Glass Castle Essay

In order to explain that the individual has full control over how they choose to perceive their own situation Eric Hoffer says, “It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities.” This remarkable trait is apparent in Jeanette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, in which Walls retells the story of her childhood surrounded by her extremely dysfunctional yet oddly vivacious family. The reader becomes engrossed in Jeannette’s endless battle between defending her family and the greatness she hopes the Walls will amount to, and settling for the fact that her family is based on false hopes and meaningless lies with her extraordinary story telling techniques. Walls uses her story to encourage others to embrace their past because it affects the person one grows to be, and also to inspire them to look for the opportunity in every situation.
Throughout the story, Walls uses astounding imagery to describe her family’s living conditions which helps the reader understand the family’s severe levels of poverty and disorder. In the winter, life on Little Hobart Street for the Walls was depressing due to the dreary weather. While sitting together in front of the stove and cuddling up in big blankets to try and stay warm, Walls states that the difference between the temperature inside and outside was only a few degrees. Once Brian realizes there is no insulation in the house, Jeannette tells Rosemary of her aversion for the cold and the winter months, as usual Rose Mary responds that winter kills germs, yet an odd sentence it was able to get her out of any additional explanation of a comment given by one of her children. Rose Mary’s response demonstrates her philosophy that putting her children in danger due to a belief that overcoming obstacles is crucial to infusing them with a strong sense of independence. This strong sense of independence is very prominent in Walls, and allows her to support herself throughout the memoir.
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