The Glass Castle Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does Jeanette see outside her cab?

Her mom digging through the trash.

How did Jeanette catch on fire?

She was cooking hot dogs.

The nurse gave Jeanette gum for the first time, and her mom approved.

False

What did the Walls call it when they had to leave town quickly?

Skedaddle Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the sister who died and how old was she?

Mary Charlene and 9 months. Signup and view all the answers

What was Rex's plan regarding their constant moving?

To find gold to build a glass castle. Signup and view all the answers

What was the important invention her father had to find gold?

It was called 'The Prospector'. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Jeanette on her and her family's way to Las Vegas?

The car took a sharp turn, and she fell out of the car. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Walls move from Las Vegas?

The casino owner found out Rex was cheating at blackjack. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jeanette become fascinated with at a young age?

Fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the doll Jeanette melted?

Tinkerbell Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of their first pet and what happened to it?

Their first pet was a cat named Quixote and they threw him out the window while they were on the road. Signup and view all the answers

What is the glass castle?

Big house with glass walls and ceilings, and a glass staircase. Signup and view all the answers

What two things does Wells compare her family to?

Cactus and a Joshua tree. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jeanette want for her 10th birthday?

That her dad would stop drinking. Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of Jeannette's three sisters?

Lori, Maureen, and Mary Charlene. Signup and view all the answers

What are Rex's two main addictions?

Gambling and alcohol. Signup and view all the answers

What does Rose Mary want to be?

An artist. Signup and view all the answers

At the zoo, what animal did Rex let his children pet?

A cheetah. Signup and view all the answers

What did Rex give Jeanette one year for Christmas?

The planet Venus. Signup and view all the answers

When Jeanette was in 1st grade, why did the two Mexican girls beat her up?

Because she was tall, pale, skinny, and raised her hand too fast when the teacher asked questions. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jeanette's nickname?

Mountain Goat. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jeanette's favorite book?

Black Beauty. Signup and view all the answers

What was the ugliest pet that the Walls ever owned?

A wounder buzzer named Buster. Signup and view all the answers

Where do Jeanette and her mother agree to meet to talk in the first chapter?

Chinese restaurant. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jeanette learn how to swim?

Her dad kept throwing her into a hot spring until she finally could make it to the side by herself. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jeannette's mother finally help bring in money for the family?

She got a job at a middle school as a teacher. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the van the Walls drive everywhere?

The Green Caboose. Signup and view all the answers

Since the Walls were on a mission to find gold, Jeannette's dad found a place in northern Nevada called?

Battle Mountain. Signup and view all the answers

At Battle Mountain, what kind of job did Jeannette's father get?

An electrician in a barite mine. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Jeanette's father tied up and 'tortured' for a short time?

He was trying to stop drinking. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jeannette's one thing she could bring with her to Phoenix?

A geode. Signup and view all the answers

What did Rex use to fix the neighbor's TV?

A macaroni noodle. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Rose Mary claim she was pregnant with Lori?

14 months. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the kids ride during the move from Blythe to Battle Mountain?

Back of a U-Haul truck. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Jeannette learn how to swim?

Hot Pot. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Battle of Little Hobart Street'?

Brian and Jeannette fight off a bully kid named Ernie Goad and his friends. Signup and view all the answers

What name did Jeannette want to name her new baby sister?

Rosita. Signup and view all the answers

What is Jeannette's baby sister's real name?

Lilly Ruth Maureen. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Family Dynamics

Jeanette Walls reflects on her unconventional childhood with her parents, Rex and Rose Mary, and her three sisters: Lori, Maureen, and Mary Charlene.
Rex is characterized by his two main addictions: gambling and alcohol, impacting the family’s stability.
Rose Mary aspires to be an artist, illustrating the family's artistic inclinations despite financial struggles.

Childhood Experiences

Jeanette survives a fire caused by cooking hot dogs, marking her adventurous and reckless childhood.
Raises concerns regarding their lifestyle, as her mother disapproves of simple pleasures like chewing gum, viewing it as a "low class vulgar habit."
Fascination with fire leads to notable incidents, including the melting of her Tinkerbell doll and an interest in seeing the world through fire.

Family Ventures and Moves

The family engages in frequent moves, referred to as "skedaddle," due to Rex's gambling issues and dishonesty.
They leave Las Vegas after Rex is caught cheating at blackjack by a casino owner.
Jeannette learns to swim after being repeatedly thrown into a hot spring by her father, showing a harsh yet practical approach to life skills.

Peculiar Family Life

The children endure unusual experiences like petting a cheetah at the zoo and absurd parental choices, such as throwing their cat Quixote out the window.
Rex maintains a whimsical outlook on their misfortunes, including ambitious dreams like building a "glass castle" that symbolizes hope and stability.
The Walls' van is named "The Green Caboose," which signifies their transient lifestyle.

Significant Events and Interactions

A pivotal moment occurs when the kids ride in the back of a U-Haul truck during their move from Blythe to Battle Mountain.
Jeanette's longing for normalcy is evident when she wishes her father would stop drinking for her tenth birthday.
Their journey brings them to Battle Mountain, where Rex gets a job as an electrician in a barite mine, showing a brief return to stability.

Notable Incidents

Jeanette is bullied in school for her height and appearance, illustrating challenges faced during her formative years.
The family experiences hardship, evident when Rose Mary eventually becomes a teacher to contribute financially.
A memorable Christmas gift from Rex to Jeanette is the planet Venus, symbolizing the magical yet erratic nature of her upbringing.

On Relationships and Challenges

Jeanette expresses a desire for connection and normalcy, seen in her poignant wishes and imaginative dreams for her family’s future.
The family's nickname for their life is juxtaposed with harsh realities, demonstrated through quirky yet troubling events.
The metaphor of the "Battle of Little Hobart Street" symbolizes sibling solidarity during confrontations with bullies, showcasing their resilience.

Dreams and Aspirations

The "glass castle" represents both a literal and metaphorical aspiration for safety and beauty in Jeannette's chaotic home life.
Throughout their journeys, the children maintain a sense of hope and curiosity, embodied in Jeanette's attachment to a single geode during their travels.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 from 'The Glass Castle' through these flashcards. Explore key moments and facts including Jeanette's experiences and her family's dynamics. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the text.