The Glass Castle Essay

Jeannette Walls The Glass Castle is a perfect example that not everyone from an unbalanced home fails as an adult. Mrs. Walls lived a rough life until she moved to New York and found herself. Mrs. Walls grew up in a family that did not take responsibility serious and did not have an adult for a role model in the house. She had to learn how to survive as a child. She had the drive to succeed regardless of her hurtful past experiences.

When finishing this book Mrs. Walls would say that society and experience contribute a big part into creating an individual. Society and experiences do play a big factor in your personality and lifestyle, but the way you deal with these experiences are what create the person you are. Mrs. Walls was not given acceptance from society and her experiences as a child were not the best. She had to learn to survive and protect herself and her siblings.

Throughout the story from early childhood until she moves to New York Mrs. Walls and her family face many people in their community that do not accept her family. Kids at school call Jeanette and her brother spider legs, bean pole, and bony butt because they are skinny due to inadequate food in the household (pg173). Many times they would dig through the trash just to find food to eat. When other girls came in and threw their lunch bags in the garbage pails, Id go retrieve them. (pg173) They would have to steal or when food dropped off the back of a truck they would grab it to eat. Other children would taunt the Walls due to their house being nasty and falling apart. There was a hole in the yard for trash; kids would make fun of them for having a trash pit. Ernie Goad would say, Yall Walls dont burn trash! Yall throw it in a hole next to your house! You live in it! Garbage! You live in garbage cause you are garbage! (pg 165) Society looked down on them for how they were living, because of their home and clothing.

Jeannette Walls was subjected to men who touched her at a young age in an inappropriate manner. One experience her father was there in a bar with her she was dancing with a man who was groping her. Her Dad says, Keep your legs crossed, honey, and keepem crossed tight. The man shouts at her Dad, Im going to take your girl upstairs. Sure, Dad says. (pg212) He was not being the protector that a father is meant to be. When upstairs the man tried to take advantage of her. She distracted the man and gets away. Yeah most guys dont like me, Besides being skinny I got these scars. (pg 213) Society also failed them when sending a children service worker to their house and him just leaving a card. Jeanette takes the card, Careful on those stairs now she calls. (pg 194) This should be a clue that the home was a safety hazard. He did not investigate the way he should have. He did not act on the situation. Teachers and police never seemed to care or notice the neglect that was taking place. Teachers are supposed to be advocates for children and report abuse and they failed to do so.

These are a few experiences out of many that the Walls had to face while growing up. Even though the children faced horrible situations and had a very rough upbringing they did not use it in a negative way. All the experiences they faced and all the negativity and abuse they took from people and society it made them stronger individuals. It made them know they could survive any situations they faced as adults. They used these experiences to become successful and positive people. They are strong willed, determined, and smart.

When they moved to New York they were all determined not to struggle and go back to the hard life they were trying to leave behind. They took on responsibility for themselves and one another making sure all of the children were provided for. The Walls children made sure to have a home, clothes, food, and work. They stuck together helping each other out even though they were making their own lives.

Mrs. Walls would say that society and the experiences she had did help to create the person she is today. She took the negative and used it in a positive way becoming a wonderful successful woman. The obstacles in her life helped form her personality and the morals she has. She would say that they do contribute to who you became, but its up to you how you put those experiences to use.