Notes on "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls

Overview

• Author & Narrator: Jeanette Walls, narrated by Julia Gibson.
• Theme: A memoir detailing Walls' childhood and early adulthood, focusing on her family’s struggles and her journey to self-reliance.
• Key Theme Quote: "Triumph against all odds" and "unconditional love in a family."

Characters

• Jeanette Walls: The protagonist, recounting her experiences growing up in a dysfunctional family.
• Rex Walls: Jeanette's father, charismatic but flawed, with dreams of building a "Glass Castle."
• Rose Mary Walls: Jeanette's mother, an artist with unconventional views on life.
• Lori Walls: Jeanette’s older sister, also creative, aims to escape the family’s chaotic life.
• Brian Walls: Jeanette’s brother, protective and resourceful.
• Maureen Walls: Jeanette’s younger sister, often detached due to the family environment.

Part One: A Woman on the Street

• Setting: Jeanette sees her mother rummaging through trash in New York City, sparking reflections on her upbringing.
• Jeanette’s Life: Lives in a Park Avenue apartment, reflecting on her past and current life juxtaposition.

Early Childhood in the Desert

• Setting: Jeanette’s childhood in various desert towns.
• Significant Events:
  • Jeanette sustains severe burns at age three while cooking hot dogs.
  • Family frequently moves, often without notice, to escape trouble or debts.
• Parents’ Characteristics:
  • Rex: Has big dreams ("The Glass Castle"), struggles with alcohol, and imparts life skills to his children.
  • Rose Mary: Focused on her art, neglects traditional parenting roles; believes children gain strength from suffering.

Life in Welch, West Virginia

• Setting: Family settles in Welch, a rundown mining town.
• Home Conditions: The house is dilapidated, without indoor plumbing or proper heating.
• Struggles:
  • Children face bullying at school due to poverty.
  • Parents’ persistent financial instability.
• Jeanette’s Growth: Begins to question her parents' decisions and takes on more responsibilities.

Teen Years and Plans for Escape

• Jeanette as a Teen: Aspires to escape Welch for a better life.
• Lori’s Escape: Plans to move to New York City, inspired by visiting artists.
• Financial Struggles: Jeanette saves money from odd jobs to fund her and Lori’s escape.

Transition to Independence

• College and New York:
  • Jeanette and Lori successfully move to New York City.
  • Jeanette works various jobs, attends college, and eventually becomes a successful journalist.
• Brian and Maureen: Follow their sisters to New York, each pursuing their paths.

Family Strain and Parents’ Homelessness

• Parents' Move to NYC: Rex and Rose Mary eventually move to New York but remain homeless.
• Jeanette’s Internal Conflict: Struggles with guilt and the desire to help her parents while maintaining her new life.
• Rex’s Decline: Dies of a heart attack, prompting reflections on family and resilience.

Conclusion

• Reflection on Family: Despite the struggles, Walls acknowledges the love and lessons learned.
• Final Scene: A family Thanksgiving brings closure, showcasing the enduring bonds despite past hardships.

Themes & Motifs

• Resilience and Self-Sufficiency: Central to the Walls siblings’ survival and success.
• Dreams vs. Reality: Rex’s "Glass Castle" symbolizes failed dreams and ambitions.
• Unconventional Parenting: Rose Mary’s laissez-faire approach highlights the balance between creativity and neglect.
• Escaping Poverty: The siblings’ collective effort to escape their chaotic upbringing and build stable lives.