The Glass Castle Essay
Hailey Schwab
Block 3B
Ms. Cyr
9/19/14
The Glass Castle The memoir entitled The Glass Castle, written by Jeannette Walls is a story of the eventful life Jeannette endured growing up with her three siblings and her parents. Jeannette lived a tough life, she was constantly moving, never had nice clothes to wear, and had to grow up faster than most children. The reason for the constant struggles in Jeannette’s life led back to her parents. Her father Rex Walls was outrageous, always making spur of the moment decisions which had taken a toll on the family as a whole. He was a severe alcoholic who made way too many promises he knew he couldn’t keep. Throughout the novel, the idea of the “Glass Castle” appears quite often. The Glass Castle is the house that Rex promised his kids he was going to build for them in the desert. He house was meant to be unlike any other, having glass walls, a glass staircase, and other technological advancements. The house is what kept Jeannette hoping that her life could turn around, that her father would finally give his children a stable life. Secretly Rex knew the Glass Castle would never be built, but he hoped that his children would still believe him, and keep giving him the reassurance he needed. To Jeannette the Glass Castle represents broken promises and to Rex is represents hope. Throughout the memoir, Jeannette and her siblings were constantly feeling let down by their parents, especially their father. They moved numerous times throughout the story, always being promised a better life, which the outcome proves to never be true. A constant question that Rex asked his children, especially Jeannette was. “Have I ever let you down?” Although the answer should be “Yes” Jeannette always seemed to respond with a no, giving him the satisfaction that he was a wonderful father. One disappointing even was when Rex finally decided to face his drinking problem head on. He was going to stop for his beloved Jeannette as a birthday gift.
Block 3B
Ms. Cyr
9/19/14
The Glass Castle The memoir entitled The Glass Castle, written by Jeannette Walls is a story of the eventful life Jeannette endured growing up with her three siblings and her parents. Jeannette lived a tough life, she was constantly moving, never had nice clothes to wear, and had to grow up faster than most children. The reason for the constant struggles in Jeannette’s life led back to her parents. Her father Rex Walls was outrageous, always making spur of the moment decisions which had taken a toll on the family as a whole. He was a severe alcoholic who made way too many promises he knew he couldn’t keep. Throughout the novel, the idea of the “Glass Castle” appears quite often. The Glass Castle is the house that Rex promised his kids he was going to build for them in the desert. He house was meant to be unlike any other, having glass walls, a glass staircase, and other technological advancements. The house is what kept Jeannette hoping that her life could turn around, that her father would finally give his children a stable life. Secretly Rex knew the Glass Castle would never be built, but he hoped that his children would still believe him, and keep giving him the reassurance he needed. To Jeannette the Glass Castle represents broken promises and to Rex is represents hope. Throughout the memoir, Jeannette and her siblings were constantly feeling let down by their parents, especially their father. They moved numerous times throughout the story, always being promised a better life, which the outcome proves to never be true. A constant question that Rex asked his children, especially Jeannette was. “Have I ever let you down?” Although the answer should be “Yes” Jeannette always seemed to respond with a no, giving him the satisfaction that he was a wonderful father. One disappointing even was when Rex finally decided to face his drinking problem head on. He was going to stop for his beloved Jeannette as a birthday gift.