The Glass Castle Themes by Rafael Barcenas

Disappointment

rafajbarcenas — 2025-02-27 19:57:27 UTC

The theme of disappointment is a very prominent theme that can be found throughout the Glass Castle. It can be found mainly in the relationship between Jeannette and Rex. Jeannette believed and was like Rex's ally for a while but as she got olde she realized how much of a disappointment her father is this was see in the incident with Oz. When Jeanette was going to put more money in Oz the piggy bank she had come to find out that all the money her, Lori and Brian had saved was gone. Jeanettes reaction upon seeing the stolen money was "I knew it was Dad, but at the same time, I couldn't believe he'd stoop this low." (Walls 228). This shows that she was shocked and disappointed in Rex for taking there kids hard earned money. The image relates to the quote and theme because it shows how even though you work hard and feel like something is promised disappointment is still a possibility.

Broken Promise's

rafajbarcenas — 2025-02-27 19:59:27 UTC

In the Glass Castle the theme of broken promises can be seen throughout the book and a prime example of this would be the foundation of the Glass Castle. A quote that would show broken promises was when "One day Dad told us to dump it in the hole. "But that's for the Glass Castle," I said. It's a temporary measure." (Walls 155). This shows that Rex could not fulfill the promise of the Glass Castle and shows the theme of broken promises. The image of the broken glass relates to the theme of broken promises because it starts as a clear window and shows everything like Rex promising everything to his family with the Glass Castle. When the window shatters it becomes hard to see what's on the other side just like when Rex breaks a promise it's hard to see what is going to happen next.

Self-sufficiency

rafajbarcenas — 2025-02-27 20:05:23 UTC

As children Lori, Brian, Jeannette, and Maureen all needed to be self sufficient at a very young age. They needed to learn how to survive and learn how to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Jeannette needed to learn how to make food for herself at a young age since her mom neglected her during the memoir Jeannette had to make herself food "I was three years old... I was standing on a chair in front of the stove... to cook the hot dogs." (Walls 9). This quote helps show that during her childhood instead of being a kid outside having fun she had to make herself food and put herself in danger since she was being neglected by her parents who were too lazy to cook for them. This image helps represent the quote and the theme because it shows a young girl having to be self-sufficient and cook for herself just as Jeanette had to do when she was a young kid.

Unconditional Love

rafajbarcenas — 2025-03-03 01:25:26 UTC

The idea of love was very hard to see in the Glass Castle. Rex and Rose Mary seemed to not care about their children at all and had a very unusual style of parenting but at times they did show unconditional love. In the beginning of the book while Jeannette is in the hospital recovering from her burns her father wants to make sure that she is being treated well and taken care of. This can be seen when Jeanette says, “One day Dad leaned over my bed and asked if the doctors and nurses were treating me okay. If they were not, he said he would kick some asses.” (Walls 12). This quote shows the theme for unconditional love and that Rex did have some care for his family. This image helps show what unconditional love is and in the Glass Castle Jeannette is Rex's ally and does show signs of loving her.

Poverty

rafajbarcenas — 2025-03-03 01:37:28 UTC

The life of the Walls family was very rough. Growing up the family was living in poverty sleeping in mobile homes and constantly moving around the country in barely functioning cars. The theme of poverty is very prominent in the Glass Castle and can be seen when the family skedaddles from their mobile home in Arizona. A quote that represents this is when “Later that night, Dad stopped the car out in the middle of the desert, and we slept under the stars.” (Walls 18). This shows that the family couldn't even afford a hotel room and that the Walls family was going to have tough times for a while since Rex could barely hold a job and Rose Mary was very lazy. This quote relates to the image and theme because it's a little girl who is poor and in desperate need of assistance like the Walls family who is struggling as well.

Fantasy vs Reality

rafajbarcenas — 2025-03-03 01:49:44 UTC

The theme of fantasy vs reality is a common theme that can be seen in the Glass Castle. Jeannette as a young girl believes in her fathers fantasy of the Glass Castle but is hit by reality when a woman saves them while they are on the side of the road. When the woman is saving the family when their car breaks down she says "The poor kids must be dying of thirst, poor things." "We're not poor," I said. She had used that word one too many times "Of course you're not," the lady quickly replied. "I didn't mean it that way." But I could tell that she had." (Walls 121). Showing that Jeannette had been hit with reality and that her family was not in the best spot. This image relates to them and quote because it is a young person who believes they will be a superhero and get power but that's just not going to happen and when that lady calls the family poor and Jeannette denies it she is faced with the reality that the family is indeed poor.