The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls Analysis

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The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.
~Thomas Hobbes

There is an unwritten rule when having children stating that you should be able to support and provide for your family. Sadly this isn’t always the case. In our society many families face destruction due to the simple fact that some parents exclusively pursue individual priorities. This is a major factor explained by numerous homeless individuals who have had both their homes and families ripped away from them due to addictions. It is a clear indication that people only pursue what they desire without consideration of the consequences that could be inflicted on both themselves and others. In the memoir The Glass Castle, author Jeannette Walls demonstrates …show more content…

They were now too big to sleep in cardboard boxes or get stuffed in the back of a uhaul. This emotionally affected the children in different ways, and just like Rex explained, “If you don't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim”(66). This quote can be interpreted in a couple different ways because you can swim for yourself or you can depend on others to keep you afloat. For instance, Rex swam with the help of his family. He stopped coming home, was drunk days on end, and whenever he needed money he would go to Jeannette because he knew she would never say no. This made Jeannette feel weak. She knew she shouldn't give him money, but she did every time. Even after he stole all the money Jeannette, Brian and Lori saved up to start a new life in New York. Jeannette on the other hand was making a life for herself. She got a job and took care of her siblings and father while Rosemary and Lori were gone for the summer. Jeannette was still in highschool and was more responsible than her parents ever were. She lived through so many hardships and she told herself that once she moved to New York it would be a fresh start. Jeannette promised herself that she would never put herself or her family through the hardships she had endured throughout her

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