The Glass Castle: A Memoir Jeanatte Walls

Characteristics of a Memoir A memory A description of an event from the past Written in first person point of view Based on the truth Reveals the writer's feelings Has meaning Shows what the author learned from his or her experience Typically focused on a significant event or certain points in the author's life About the author's experience more than the actual event itself

So, why isn't it an autobiography? Most importantly, it is more emotional than factual. It is focusing in a certain events which greatly impacted one's life. For Walls, she is concerned with her childhood and how it has shaped her identity. A memoir is focused on Walls' perception of her childhood and is not necessarily a fact filled rendition of it.

Who is Jeanette Walls? Walls was born in 1960 in Phoenix, AZ Her father was an electrician, but he did not keep steady employment. Her mother had a teaching degree but viewed herself as an artist. Walls has two sisters: Lori and Maureen. She has one brother: Brian. Her parents attempt to live a bohemian lifestyle, yet for most readers it is one filled with neglect. Ironically, Walls does not condemn her parents. Walls' family is transient and travels all over the West, but due to extreme poverty they end up in Welch, West Virginia, the hometown of Rex Walls.

A MEMOIR ABOUT POVERTY Welch, West Virginia is located in the poorest county in the state. Due to the extreme poverty and the horrendous living conditions, it is no surprise that the Walls' children leave home as soon as possible. They head to New York City. Soon, their parents follow and quickly become homeless squatters.

A memoir about Homelessness and Mental Illness "You can't just live like this," I said. "Why not?" Mom said, "Being homeless is an adventure" (Walls 255).

A Memoir about Identity and Shame After living in New York for some time, Walls meets her first husband. He comes from a wealthy family and she marries and moves to Park Avenue. Walls is writing for New York Magazine has published a book about industry gossip, but has kept her background secret. Her parents did not even attend her first wedding.

A Memoir about acceptance While completing an interview with Vanity Fair, Walls meets her second husband. He questioned her background which she was very secretive about, yet it is this interview which acts as a catalyst for the novel, The Glass Castle.

Interview with Walls

Analyzing The Glass Castle Author's Purpose and Meaning

Analyzing Literary Elements of Memoir Conflict Man vs. Self Man vs. Man Lack of imagery when describing abuse Man vs. Society Man vs. nature Setting Imagery Character development Aphorisms The truth is stranger than fiction Characterization Dynamic, Round, Static, Flat, Direct and indirect Epiphanies, coming of age Hyperbole and Understatement Allusions Joshua Tree Picasso Venus CHuck Yeager Motifs Glass Castle Fire Rock Cars Painting Prospector Storytelling

Thematic Aspects Family Gender Roles/Sacrifice Forgiveness Survival Education Pride Child abuse and neglect Mental Illness - Bipolar, schizophrenia Addiction - Alcoholism Gender Roles/Sacrifice Independence Identity Homelessness/Poverty Judgment (especially that of society)

double entry journal Novel quote Analysis Walls uses this dialogue as a catalyst for her story. The dialogue between Walls and her mother emphasizes the internal conflict Walls faces regarding her identity and past. The diction of truth combined with simple highlights her mother's values and those which she hopes her daughter will embody and characterizes her as unashamed of not only her economic state but her lack of worth in society's eyes. Truth, ironically though, is not simple when one lives in a society which passes judgment on those who do not conform to its expectations and standards. "Just tell the truth," Mom said. "That's simple enough" (Walls 5)

double entry journal Quote Analysis After burning herself at three years old making hot dogs, Walls is in the hospital recovering from severe burns. The repetition of the word nothing combined with the visual imagery of the nurses looking at one another and writing on the clipboard creates the thematic aspect of societal judgment towards her parents. As readers, we question with the nurses the parenting of Rex and Mary Walls and a mood of abhorrence is developed toward them, yet Walls' writing is loyal to her parents causing a dichotomy between the reader and the author. The neglect is justified through a three year old's proud declaration that, "Mom says I'm mature for my age" (Walls 11). "Two nurses looked at each other, and one of them wrote something down on a clipboard. I asked what was wrong. Nothing, they said, nothing" (Walls 11).