The idea that societal issues relating to dialectical materialism stem from “lower” classes not having what they need to get by/survive is undermined by the antics of two incredibly irresponsible and yet seemingly well-intentioned parents. Throughout this story, the family of five experience poverty and comfort through a rollercoaster of events. This story has it all: poverty, abuse, adventure, heartbreak, coming-of-age, gambling, bar fights… But what this story does not do is support the prevailing notion that society improves when the individuals who have the greatest needs are provided for. 

The protagonist and her siblings recount heartbreaking childhood events in an initially “withdrawn” way, but that mood shifts to a more serious and realistic tone as the characters get older. What starts out as the funny and quirky antics of mom and the rowdy and adventurous sprees of dad evolves into the realization that these are two unreliable, irresponsible, and perhaps mentally and emotionally unwell individuals (although I am unsure about this last notion, considering the evidence that both parents are well educated.) Throughout the story, the family has numerous moments where they begin to rise out of squalor and poverty (an inheritance, holding a job, even gambling loot) and we see time and time again that the parents completely misuse the little advantages they manage to accumulate (even by Marxist standards.) 

 Dad was an alcoholic “entrepreneur” who went as far as stealing money his children made by working numerous jobs, like hoarding cans for scrap money or doing other kids homework (for a nominal fee.) His whole persona revolves on the idea that he is always working towards some idea that will “strike gold” for the family (namely, the Glass Castle-an extravagant set of blueprints for a solar-powered, self-sufficient desert mansion.) Mom is strangely supportive of a man who routinely drunkenly trashes their living space, beats and fights her, and causes the family to have to move literally dozens of times. She prioritizes her own aspirations over supporting her family, like buying a piano at a time where her children slept in cardboard boxes and bathed once a week. At one point, they inherit a decent amount of money. This does not last, as it is spent on things such as setting up an “art gallery” so mom can pursue her dream of becoming an artist, or a sparkling gold cadillac (meanwhile, the house has no running water and the kitchen appliances violently shock everyone due to faulty wiring.) 

The family repeatedly stumbles on money or fortune, only to throw it all away. The kids eventually move out to NYC and become relatively successful, while the parents continue to live on the streets in poverty. At one point, it is revealed that the land mom owns and refuses to sell throughout the story might be worth millions of dollars. All of this seems to suggest that the material circumstances of society do not indeed dictate the problems that society might have and that certain individuals, through sheer incompetence or through their own choice, maintain their status quo regardless of having the resources to change that-commodified or not.

Takas has many important ideas that he presents in his writing “How does your positionality bias your epistemology?”. His main question essentially boils down to being able to relate to other humans through shared or similar experiences. He mentions that it is important to consider at all times, in the classroom and out, how your persona shapes what you know about the world. Your experiences shape the lens through which you see things, which in turn shapes how you interpret new experiences and the cycle perpetuates into your positionality. Understanding identity within the confines of the classroom environment is helpful for students and teachers. The truth is that across all fields, people who have some kind of power over others often don’t realize how that privilege can affect the dynamic. As a teacher in a position of power, being able to be vulnerable and share experiences with your students and peers will foster an environment where they feel comfortable doing the same, and this in turn will ideally foster an environment that nurtures learning and motivation,

Kiegan J. Munn

 

Kiegan hates teachers, he doesn’t think they're swell

His Father is a teacher, his Mother is as well.

They make him do work and stuff that is boring

He’d much rather be playing, or sleeping and snoring.

 

His grandma and grandpa, uncle and aunt,

The friends of the family and those who are not,

The grownups and neighbors who live down the block,

They're all somehow teachers… He wants it to stop.

 

So one day he sat, and made his mind clearer.

He solemnly swore and oath to the mirror.

“I’ll never teach a thing, not a single class!

These teachers around me are a pain in my

 

neck.

 

15 years later, and college is done.

With no job in sight, and nothing for fun,

He looks next to the land of the rising sun.

“Teach english abroad, become Mr. Munn”

 

So looking to try it, and perhaps get away

Kiegan got on a plane, and slept for a day.

The plan was to party, and learn how to speak

And the next thing you know, it’s been 156 weeks!

 

It turns out he loves working with kids.

He’s got a real knack, which somehow he hid.

“Should this be my career, although I forbid?”

He’d get his degree, and that’s what he did.

 

Now his Parents and Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts,

The friends of the family and those who are not,

The grownups and neighbors that live down the block,

and Kiegan himself are all part of the flock.