1. The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Jeanatte Walls

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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).

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Interview with Walls

10. Analyzing The Glass Castle
Author's Purpose and Meaning

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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).