The Glass Castle By: Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle, had a tough childhood. Through her work, she documents the struggles faced by her dysfunctional family, and how she eventually breaks away to begin a successful future. Jeannette is the second oldest of four children, and lives with her parents. Jeannette’s mom and dad are not very good providers, for the dad is an alcoholic, and the mom takes several unsteady jobs. They are a very poor family, and can’t even afford the simple things such as electricity or a car or even lunch money for the kids. They have had to move frequently as the government is trying to track them down for not paying taxes, in run down apartments, cars, and even out in the desert. However, the parents try to make this fun for their children, saying that these types of things make you stronger and that is was an “adventure”. But once Jeannette gets old enough, she realizes that she cannot cope with this dysfunctional family much longer. Throughout her scattered, incomplete education in various schools, the Walls kids begin saving up for their future. The end basically describes their future, which could turn out for the better or the worse. Overall, it is a very inspirational story, and I found myself constantly rooting for the Walls’ children and their futures. Also, the Glass Castle refers to a giant building make of glass that the dad was planning on making. Once they could afford it, he planned to build it, move in to it, and live their together as a family. He never got around to it, but throughout the novel, it represents hope that that the Walls’ look torwards even in their darkest times.

Since the Walls were being tracked, and could not afford a place to live, they went to several places. The story first starts in a desert down South, but eventually they move to a city called Welch with their grandparents. All of the places they live in are either in bad neighborhoods, completely run down, or they are unable to afford it and abandon it. They live with minimal possessions and only what they need to survive. Since they live more down South, their dialect is that of a Southerner’s. The dad especially uses slang and phrases that Southerner’s often use. Then, once the kids graduate, they move to New York, into much fancier homes and a much more glamourous lifestyle. The story took place in the 1970’s to the present.

The setting influences the story in many ways. It is mainly a conflict for them, whether its battling the forces of nature, such as weather, or in places they cannot afford. When the family finds a place in Welch, it is very run down and tacky. The school kids make fun of them because of the way they live. Also, the time is very crucial. Before noting that “The Glass Castle” was a true story, I assumed that it took place in the early 1900’s. Families like the Walls’ seem to be much more scarce in times like this, or rather, I don’t see them around. The condition in which they lived was very low-class, and to be able to live without necessary items such as electricity and running water made me think about the people of the past. The time simply adds to my awe for how this family was able to make it through.

Overall, I was moved by The Glass Castle, especially Jeannette’s determination to start anew. I would definitely recommend this book, as it is very thought-provoking and life-changing.

- Christina