The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls: An Analysis
An Analysis of Lori Walls
In the book, The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls portrays her life searching for steady ground in a world of chaos, created by her alcoholic father and irresponsible mother. Lori, Jeannette’s oldest sister blazes the trail for her siblings escape from their whirlwind childhood into a stable adult life. Lori voices her feelings and emotions through sarcastic comments as well as providing emphasis or relief to the situations. In the worst that life has to offer, Lori finds the humor in everything. For example, when the family’s clothes froze after an attempt to dry them on the porch, Lori comments “at least we don’t need to by starch”(177) referring to the stiffness of their clothes. Though the situation proves the
clothes unwearable, Lori’s comments make the situation almost laughable creating a sense of relief in the situation. The view on life Lori possesses both emphasises the reality of life and provides comic relief. After Rex’s mother, Erma died Lori comments, “Ding Dong, the witch is dead” (181) the other children laugh due to their distaste of Erma. The comment though, angers Rex escalding the situation, darkening the tone. Lori provided comic relief at first but the reaction from her father then emphasises it. Lori’s life has been filled with scars, burns and other injuries. When she is burned by lighter fluid causing great pain. She complains to her mother. The mother replies with the saying “what doesn't kill you make you stronger”. Lori replies “if that was true, I would be Hercules by now.” (179) This gives the reader mixed feelings about how the children are treated. Lori’s reply creates a sense of amusement in the Walls children's experiences. At the same time, the comment also reminds the reader of the hardships they have had. Lori shows a constant trait of sarcastic humor through the memoir, she gives this book an extraordinary balance between astonished and laughter. The Glass castle shows the multiple views on life a single person can have. Life for Lori, was never dull yet always amusing.
In the book, The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls portrays her life searching for steady ground in a world of chaos, created by her alcoholic father and irresponsible mother. Lori, Jeannette’s oldest sister blazes the trail for her siblings escape from their whirlwind childhood into a stable adult life. Lori voices her feelings and emotions through sarcastic comments as well as providing emphasis or relief to the situations. In the worst that life has to offer, Lori finds the humor in everything. For example, when the family’s clothes froze after an attempt to dry them on the porch, Lori comments “at least we don’t need to by starch”(177) referring to the stiffness of their clothes. Though the situation proves the
clothes unwearable, Lori’s comments make the situation almost laughable creating a sense of relief in the situation. The view on life Lori possesses both emphasises the reality of life and provides comic relief. After Rex’s mother, Erma died Lori comments, “Ding Dong, the witch is dead” (181) the other children laugh due to their distaste of Erma. The comment though, angers Rex escalding the situation, darkening the tone. Lori provided comic relief at first but the reaction from her father then emphasises it. Lori’s life has been filled with scars, burns and other injuries. When she is burned by lighter fluid causing great pain. She complains to her mother. The mother replies with the saying “what doesn't kill you make you stronger”. Lori replies “if that was true, I would be Hercules by now.” (179) This gives the reader mixed feelings about how the children are treated. Lori’s reply creates a sense of amusement in the Walls children's experiences. At the same time, the comment also reminds the reader of the hardships they have had. Lori shows a constant trait of sarcastic humor through the memoir, she gives this book an extraordinary balance between astonished and laughter. The Glass castle shows the multiple views on life a single person can have. Life for Lori, was never dull yet always amusing.