The Glass Castle Themes by

Self-Sufficiency

379615_1 — 2025-02-27 20:33:41 UTC

The photo above represents Jeannette and her siblings having to find ways to sprout and grow with what they have. By having neglectful parents, Jeannette and her siblings were always fending for themselves. An example of this would be when Jeannette states, "We kids usually kept our hunger to ourselves, but we were always thinking of food and how to get our hands on it."(p. 68). This form of lifestyle had always stuck with them, though it's also what made them successful. After escaping to New York, the Walls kids would have struggled a lot more if they hadn't learn to be self-sufficient. They were able to turn something they struggled with to success.

Acceptance

379615_1 — 2025-03-03 15:17:19 UTC

The calmness shown in the photo is what represents Jeannette when she reveals her past to others. Accepting her parents to the public to others allowed her to truly be herself. As stated in The Glass Castle, "It had been John's idea to invite her and Lori and Brian out to the house for Thanksgiving, the first Walls family get-together since Dad died." (p.285). Jeannette is able to confide in her second husband, John, and allows herself to rekindle the connection between her and her family. By embracing her mothers antics, she begins to understand her and even a bit of herself.

Betrayal

379615_1 — 2025-03-03 15:20:04 UTC

Jeannette's parents were always letting her and her siblings down. Her father, Rex Walls, was always taking his word back from his kids. Their mother, Rose Mary would never take accountability for her actions. By being betrayed, it ultimately caused the Walls kids to push their parents away away. Stated in The Glass Castle, "I knew that in his way, he would be. I also knew I'd never be coming back." (p. 240). After finally realizing that Rex will always be dragging her down, Jeannette gets the courage to move with her sister to New York. Since then, Jeannette thrives in life and lives a peaceful life. She helps her brother and younger sister to move to New York as well, and the Walls kids are able to live successful lives. It's not until Rex and Rose Mary move to New York, which proves to Jeannette that there was no use of changing them, and she would have been stuck with their lifestyle if she had never left.

Chaos and Order

379615_1 — 2025-03-03 15:50:24 UTC

The picture above represents the difference between how her life was during her childhood and her adult life. After living for years in a chaotic household, Jeannette is able to have control in her household. Stated in The Glass Castle, "Then I started to think about Mom and Dad. When they had moved into their squat a fifteen minute subway ride south and about a half a dozen worlds away it seemed as if they had finally found the place where they belonged, and I wondered if I had done the same." (p. 268). After moving in with her first husband, she felt as a calm life up in Park Ave. suited her way more than her past home. Even Jeannette's siblings adopted a calmer lifestyle rather than the one they lived with their parents. Being stuck in a hectic lifestyle can make one crave for control and order.

Unconditional Love

379615_1 — 2025-03-03 19:29:20 UTC

The photo above represents the love Jeannette held for her father all the way back from an early age. Even through all the hardships, Rex was able to give Jeannette memories of bonding. As shown in The Glass Castle, "But you always loved your old man, didn't you?

I did, Dad, I said. And you loved me." (p. 279). Jeannette and Rex were able to show each other how much they cared for one another, even if it wasn't the most ideal way. Rex never cared for Jeannette with all the necessities, but he believed in her strength and resilience. Jeannette grew up knowing there was someone there who believed in her. Their love for one another shone through everything else.

Identity

379615_1 — 2025-03-03 19:46:15 UTC

Jeannettes identity is something that she struggles with throughout her life. Her siblings fit into family roles, which Jeannette doesn't seem to fit in. As stated in Jeannettes memoir, "I wanted to join some club or group or organization where I could feel I belonged, where people wouldn't move away if I sat down next to them."(p. 203). After starting high school, Jeannette finds the school newspaper and realizes it's something she enjoys writing. She finds herself spending most of her time writing columns and even finds the news room as a safe haven from her home. Her love of writing eventually makes her successful and why she writes her memoir. Finding her identity is what got her where she is today.