The Melted Sand Palace by Anthony M

Fire

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 18:01:49 UTC

Throughout the story, Jeanette becomes increasingly fascinated by fire, and she says, ''I'm constantly on the lookout for bigger fires." Fire represents both the danger of the adventurous life of the Walls family, as well as the burning desire to reach goals for the children, goals being to escape the family and improve themselves.

When Jeanette says that shes constantly on the lookout for bigger fires, it means that shes constantly looking for that adrenaline rush or that thrill she wants to get, the same thrill she gets from her adventures.

Perseverance and Determination

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 18:05:57 UTC

Regardless of the children’s hardships, they push through and make it out in the end. Jeanette goes to college and moves with Lori to become a reporter in NYC, Brian becomes a police officer in contrast to his father's beliefs.

Responsibility

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 18:10:33 UTC

Both Rex and Rose-Mary have zero responsibility for their kids. It's led to the Children taking it upon themselves, even as old as 3 years. The image above also is very fitting, Rex being a chronic alcoholic and not taking care of his children whatsoever, leaving the children to manage themselves a majority of the time they are growing up.

Home

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 18:15:51 UTC

The Walls’ family is constantly on the run and moving houses, never really finding ‘home.’ However, this has taught Jeanette that home doesn't have to be a set place to be called one. As a young girl, Jeanette isn't concerned about having a stable home life. She feels the same sense of adventure that Rose Mary gets from moving all the time.

Family

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 18:31:21 UTC

The Walls’ Family is very dysfunctional, mainly because of the parents. However, this does not stop Jeanette from looking out for her siblings' wellbeing. They help each other in every way possible to survive the family's hardships.

Broken Promises

adammarcelo322 — 2025-02-27 19:00:07 UTC

This theme is entirely and completley evident all throughout the memoir, more specifically, with Rex Walls. Rex Walls, who repeatedly makes promises to his children about a better life or a change in his behavior, only to break them due to his alcoholism and nomadic lifestyle, leaving Jeannette and her siblings feeling constantly disappointed and betrayed. "I stared at the plans. 'Dad,' I said, 'you’ll never build the Glass Castle.'

'Are you saying you don’t have faith in your old man?' Dad said." The visual respresentation of the rusty broken chain is an example of constant promises made through out the story made by both Rex and Rose mary, with each broken promise, it rusts down the metaphorical chain of connection between the family. Until ultimatley, it snaps at the end.