Block 5
AP Language and Composition
Ms. Snedeker The Glass Castle is a chilling memoir written by the writer Jeannette Walls. The memoir is about her unfortunate childhood, which involved constantly being on the move due to her father Rex’s drinking problems getting them into debt or losing him a job. The author has a way of describing things that leaves readers emotionally connected, sympathetic, grateful, wanting more and many other reactions. Overall, The Glass Castle was an excellent life affirming and inspiring memoir. Jeanette Walls writes The Glass Castle in a way that causes readers to have sympathy or at least connect emotionally with her. One of the instances in which …show more content…
Independence is shown in Walls at a very young age, doing things such as cooking at the age of three. This is shown in the following quote “I felt a blaze of heat on my right side. I turned to see where it was coming from and realized my dress was on fire. Frozen with fear, I watched the yellow-white flames make a ragged brown line up the pink fabric of my skirt and climb my stomach. Then the flames leaped up, reaching my face.” (Walls 9) This in itself is amazing that her parents first of all were that belligerent that they would let a three year old cook hot dogs and equally amazing that a three year old was hungry enough that they had learned how to cook hot dogs for themselves, instead of waiting for parents like most children have to. This isn’t the only time that she has to show extreme independence. When she is in her teens she decides to get a job at a jewelry store so that she can leave to go to New York City. This opportunity is originally ruined again by her father Rex. Either way, extreme poverty and ignorant parents made Walls completely self-sufficient at a very young