Analysis: The Bean Trees

Moving out of your home can sometimes be a tough determination to make whether it is for a better living or finding jobs; most of the time, I find it brave to do so.

In consideration, many unexpected events can occur to us, which helps to shape one’s belief in something that they should avoid having. The novel, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver portrays the life of Taylor Greer, a young and spirited woman who is brave enough to move out of a rural home in Kentucky with the goal of avoiding pregnancy. Little did Taylor know, she faces a human condition of accepting a three-year-old American Indian girl named Turtle. Throughout her journey, she creates many friendships with other people and love toward Turtle so there are many things that

Taylor stuns, “But neither of us could interpret the significance of Turtle’s first word. It was ‘bean’” (p.130). Clearly, this represents that Turtle is now a normal kid, and she is developing with the support of Taylor. Also, she is now growing in a better environment than her past; obtaining happiness from Taylor’s friends’ better lifestyle and talking of the people she lives with like in Lou Ann’s house and Mattie’s friendliness. In this case, the “bean” is a metaphorical expression that compares Turtle’s life and the bean itself. Taylor explains, “The wisteria vines were a week or two past full bloom… ‘Bean trees,’ she said… Some of the wisteria flowers had gone to seed, and all these wonderful long green pods hung down from the branches” (p.192,193-194). We can see that this perfectly illustrates the progress of a bean growing itself into long green pods like how Turtle is progressively opening up herself and feeling secure in this place. Similarly, the vines will start to bloom up after a few weeks in a suitable condition and will eventually become bigger. Finally, receiving the adoption certificate is also an important moment in Taylor’s

Moving forward in their adventure together, Taylor feels that she is more mature than she ever was and realizes that being a mother is not a bad thing. The adoption certificate symbolizes evidenceevidence, and the freedom of discrimination that some people may have against her. Taylor expresses, “That means you’re my kid,’ I explained, ‘and I’m your mother, and nobody can say it isn’t so” (p.311). This tells us how satisfies Taylor is to become a mother for Turtle. Although it was the goal of her to avoid getting pregnant, now she finally understands that being a mother is such a wonderful experience that anyone can ever have. Honestly, Taylor loves Turtle with her whole heart and will make Turtle feel safe. Taylor becoming a mother is a great advantage for Turtle because Taylor has very good personalities that will make Turtle a happier girl and eventually get influenced by it.Firstly, Taylor’s car is an important thing that helped Taylor to move out of her little town of Kentucky. Secondly, a memorable event that occurs to Taylor is Turtle’s first-word “bean” because Taylor has made Turtle to feel comfortable enough to talk to Taylor and everyone else. Finally,