The Glass Castle Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

What does the poetry excerpt from Dylan Thomas mean and why does Jeannette Walls include it in her memoir?

It talks about how life is a journey and you need to go through the dark to get to the light.

Who is the woman on the street and what is she doing?

The woman on the street is her mother and she is looking for food.

How does Jeannette's mother feel about being homeless?

She thinks that being homeless is an adventure.

When the narrator returns to her apartment after seeing the woman on the street, how does she feel when she looks around her apartment and sees all her beautiful things?

She feels bad because it is her mother and she is homeless. Signup and view all the answers

How does Jeannette feel about Rose Mary's appearance by the dumpster?

She is sad knowing she can never escape her troubled past. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of Rose Mary's final words to Jeannette during their meal together?

It shows that even the weakest of people can have enough sense to know you are who you are. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jeannette just sit and wait for the family to return after she falls out of the car?

Because she believes that her family will come back for her. Signup and view all the answers

How does the father deal with Jeannette's fears, and does this help or hurt her?

He makes jokes out of her fears. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Joshua Tree symbolize?

It symbolizes their family, being crooked, dysfunctional, and distorted. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't the parents believe in telling their children the Christmas/Santa Claus fantasy?

They know they don't have the money to pay for presents every year, so they tell them the truth. Signup and view all the answers

What does Rex give his kids for Christmas?

Rex gives his children stars for Christmas. Signup and view all the answers

What is your opinion of Rose Mary and how long she thinks she has been pregnant?

She is delusional because she says that it is 14 months, which is impossible. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jeannette act tough for her father?

She acts tough for her father because he values toughness. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Brian try to fight for Jeannette?

He fights for her because he knows no one else will, as he is also her brother. Signup and view all the answers

What is the new baby's name and who is she named after?

Maureen; she is partially named after her mother and grandmother. Signup and view all the answers

What causes the Walls to leave Blythe?

He gets pulled over by the cops. Signup and view all the answers

What does the U-Haul scene show us about the Walls' parenting?

It shows that they are extremely irresponsible. Signup and view all the answers

Describe their new home in Battle Mountain.

They moved into an abandoned railroad depot that was wooden with no furniture. Signup and view all the answers

What is surprising about the Walls children despite not having a formal education?

They are very smart. Signup and view all the answers

What does it suggest that they have no beds or tables in their new home, but the mother must have a piano?

It shows that the mother values her possessions more than her children's well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What does Rose Mary's attitude toward the piano outside suggest about her character?

It shows that she is reckless and values adventure. Signup and view all the answers

What do the games played suggest about the family?

It shows that they are trying to teach their children about current things. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think of the mother's attitude toward cooking?

I think that it is crazy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Poetry Excerpt Significance

Dylan Thomas's poem reflects life's journey, emphasizing the contrast between darkness and light.
Jeannette Walls includes it to illustrate the struggles and hope within her own life experiences.

Jeannette's Mother

The woman on the street is Jeannette's mother, who is homeless and searching for food.
She perceives her homelessness as an adventure rather than a burden.

Jeannette's Emotional Conflict

Observing her mother's situation evokes feelings of guilt and sorrow in Jeannette.
Despite her mother's choices, Jeannette struggles with the disparity between her life and her mother's struggles.

Reflection on the Past

Jeannette feels a profound sadness when she sees her mother rummaging through trash, symbolizing her inability to escape her past.

The Impact of Parents' Identity

Rose Mary's comments during a meal highlight Jeannette's struggle to embrace her identity while acknowledging her parents' acceptance of themselves.

Trust in Family

After falling out of the car, Jeannette waits for her family’s return, illustrating her faith in their connection despite abandonment.

Father's Handling of Fears

Jeannette's father addresses her fears with humor, intending to make her resilient, though the effectiveness of this method is questionable.

Joshua Tree Symbolism

The Joshua Tree serves as a metaphor for the Walls family, representing their dysfunction and resilience.

Christmas Realities

Jeannette's parents choose honesty about Santa Claus, highlighting their financial struggles and prioritizing truth over fantasy.

Rex's Christmas Gift

Rex gifts his children stars for Christmas, symbolizing a lasting gift that they can cherish and see from anywhere.

Rose Mary's Delusions

Rose Mary's belief about her pregnancy duration reveals her disconnect from reality and underscores the dysfunction in her relationship with Rex.

Jeannette's Tough Persona

Jeannette adopts a tough demeanor to gain her father’s approval, reflecting the values he instills in his children.

Brotherly Protection

Brian's instinct to protect Jeannette demonstrates sibling loyalty, contrasting with their father's expectations of self-reliance.

New Baby's Name

Maureen, the new baby, is named partially in honor of her mother and grandmother, reflecting familial ties.

Departure from Blythe

The family leaves Blythe due to Rex's arrest, symbolizing their transient lifestyle and chronic instability.

U-Haul Parenting

The U-Haul scene showcases the Walls' neglectful parenting practices, endangering their children's safety during transport.

Living Conditions in Battle Mountain

The family resides in an abandoned train depot, highlighting their impoverished living conditions and lack of basic furnishings for comfort.

Intelligence Despite Lack of Education

The Walls children display remarkable intelligence without formal education, emphasizing innate resilience and adaptability.

Mother's Priorities

Rose Mary's ownership of a piano amid overcrowded living conditions signals her misplaced values, prioritizing possessions over her children's needs.

Character Reflection through the Piano

Rose Mary's dismissive attitude toward the piano illustrates her reckless nature and focus on adventure rather than family stability.

Family Education through Play

The games played by the family suggest a desire to provide educational opportunities, compensating for the lack of formal schooling.

Mother's Attitude toward Cooking

Rose Mary's nonchalant approach to cooking lacks nutritional care, negatively impacting her children's health and wellbeing.

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Description

Explore key themes and quotes from Jeannette Walls' memoir, 'The Glass Castle'. This guide will help you understand deeper meanings behind her experiences and the poetry connected to her life's journey. Perfect for review or study.