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• The Glass Castle: Novel Summary
• The Glass Castle: Section 1, Chapter 1
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 2-4
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 5-7
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 8-10
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 11-13
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 14-16
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 17-19
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 20-21
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 22-24
• The Glass Castle: Section 2, Chapters 26-28
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 29-31
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 32-34
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 35-38
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 39-42
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 43-46
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 47-48
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 49-51
• The Glass Castle: Section 3, Chapters 52-55
• The Glass Castle: Section 4, Chapters 56-58
• The Glass Castle: Section 4, Chapters 59-63
• The Glass Castle: Section 4, Chapters 64-68
• The Glass Castle: Section 5, Chapter 1
• The Glass Castle: Character Profiles
• The Glass Castle: Metaphor Analysis
• The Glass Castle: Theme Analysis
• The Glass Castle: Top Ten Quotes
• The Glass Castle: Biography: Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle: Essay Q&A

1.  Give an outline of Jeannette’s character and her relationship with her family.   As this is an autobiographical work, a direct line may be drawn between Jeannette Walls the author and Jeannette the first-person narrator. The style of the writing is relatively straightforward as the author records her memories and her perception of her memories with apparently little doubt. She tends to characterize herself and her two closest siblings in terms of age most fully and all three are depicted as intelligent, well-read and often humiliated for the poverty they live in. The parents are more quixotic and, therefore, less easy to quantify. Her father is described as an alcoholic, especially as he gets older, but she is also quick to show the readers how intelligent and curious he was too. In this way, she avoids stereotyping her father and other alcoholics and does not condemn him too readily. This is also in keeping with the content of this book as this highlights how both were relatively close to each other. Her mother is drawn less favorably and it is difficult to know if this is because she was as monstrous as she appears or because Jeannette the author is less forgiving of her. 2. Consider the title and explain how representative it is of the work as a whole.   The reference to the Glass Castle comes about from the dream of Jeannette’s father to construct such a building for the family. The idea sounds preposterous and unlikely, to build a castle made of glass, and yet her father drew up plans and blueprints to bring this about. This tension between impossible dream and everyday reality (where it is unlikely that such a castle will be built) typifies the upbringing Jeannette had. Her mother also had dreams, such as being an artist or a writer, and persevered with this although she was never successful in terms of achieving great sales. Both parents, then, were idealistic and full of hopes, but overlooked the practical necessities of earning money and, it must be said, feeding their children. 3 . Discuss Jeannette’s reading matter and compare the books she read as a child with this work.   Jeannette recalls how as they were growing up Lori used to love reading works such as Lord of the Rings whereas she preferred the stuff of human conflict and so was more likely to read Lord of the Flies and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn . As she points out, the latter text may be seen as having many similarities with her life and, by implication, with this autobiography. Both here and in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn the central heroine is raised in poverty and yearns for something better. In addition, both girls fail to see the full problems that their fathers bring to the family. 4. Analyze the limits and possibilities of autobiography and discuss in relation to The Glass Castle .   The premise of an autobiography is that it is a life story of the author. It depends on the author’s memories and research, but is ultimately their subjective responses to their own lives and because of this is limited by their subject position. In this particular work, Jeannette Walls avoids engaging with any type of overt theoretical response to the nature of autobiography. Instead, she prefers to follow a mainly linear path from childhood to adulthood. The only change from this straight line comes at the beginning of the book when she offers her reasoning for telling her life story. 5. To what extent are the poor conditions that the children are raised in attributed to the wider problems of a capitalist society in this work?   On the whole, the author tends to avoid discussing her family’s poverty in relation to material politics and as the work progresses it becomes apparent that in this instance the family was not as poor as it appeared to be. Although the children are often described as being hungry and extremely cold in winters in Welch, it transpires that their mother not only held on to the diamond ring that Brian found, but also had land worth around one million dollars. Because of these factors, it seems that their poverty was unnecessary and neglectful on the part of the parents rather than being explicable by economic and social factors. The subject of poverty is barely examined here as the main content is taken up by Jeannette recounting events and circumstances rather than questioning why such things happened. On one of the few occasions it is raised, she refers to the visit paid to Welch by the then new President Kennedy when he gave out the first food stamps. At this point it is highlighted how poverty has been (and still is) rife in the wealthiest country in the world.

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72 The Glass Castle Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best the glass castle topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 good essay topics on the glass castle, 🔎 most interesting the glass castle topics to write about, ❓ the glass castle essay questions.

• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls Overview To avoid taking their children away from them, the Walls decided to move to the home of Grandma Smith, who was Rose Mary’s mother.
• “The Distance Between Us” by Grande and “The Glass Castle” by Walls Regardless of the trauma and neglect caused by addiction problems in the families depicted in “The Distance Between Us” and “The Glass Castle,” the only obstacles to accomplishment and happiness are inside the individual. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• “Dumpster Diving” and “The Glass Castle”: A Brief Comparison The problem of homeless people that became Dumpsters is discussed in Eighner’s essay and the novel written by Walls, providing a deeper insight into the matter and triggering a need to address it.
• “The Glass Castle: A Memoir“ by Jeannette Walls Review For instance, the birth of a younger brother or sister, the beginning of school, or the divorce of parents would change the relationship between the child and his or her environment. In the given case, […]
• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls Analysis In the end by the end, Jeannette’s aspiration was the opposite of her family, bringing to success and acceptance not only herself but also those close to her.
• “The Glass Castle“ by Jeanette Walls Analysis The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence the successful future of the main character Jeannette. A series of memories of Jeannette dwells on her childhood, wandering with parents, a brother […]
• Jeanette Walls’ “The Glass Castle” Book Response All the events in the book are connected to the author herself and their entire family and those who happen to be born in poor backgrounds, whereby she is after informing the reader on the […]
• The Role of Fire in the Novel “The Glass Castle”
• The Theme of Alcoholism in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• The Role of Bended Joshua Tree in the Novel “The Glass Castle”
• Overcoming Challenges in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• The Effect of a Parenting Style Illustrated in “The Glass Castle”
• The Theme of a Prison Made of Glass in “The Glass Castle”
• The Effect of Childhood on a Person’s Life in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• Analysis of Rex and Rosemary’s Parenting in “The Glass Castle”
• Depiction of a Childhood Trauma in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• Look at the Theme of Forgiveness and Resilience in “The Glass Castle”
• The Development of a Child in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• “The Glass Castle” and the Seven Deadly Sins
• The Major Achievement for the Characters in “The Glass Castle”
• American Dream Turning Into American Nightmare in “The Glass Castle”
• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls: The Character of Father
• The Role of the Setting in the Novel “The Glass Castle”
• The Relationship Between a Mother and a Son in “The Glass Castle”
• Rose Mary Walls’ Role as a Mother in “The Glass Castle”
• The Part of Nature in “The Glass Castle”
• The Theme of Making Peace With Past in “The Glass Castle”
• A Stick of Margarine as a Symbol of Walls’ Lives in “The Glass Castle”
• Independence and Self-Sufficiency in “The Glass Castle”
• The Character Growth and Process of Forgiveness in “The Glass Castle”
• “The Glass Castle”: The Memoirs of Jeannette Walls
• The Metaphors of “The Glass Castle”: Resilience and Growing Up
• The Depiction of Poverty in “The Glass Castle”
• The Ideas of Home in “The Glass Castle”
• The Family’s Escapades to Collect Money in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• Ecological Systems Theory in “The Glass Castle”
• Examples of Irony in “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls
• The Portrayal of Family in “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• The Role of Mountain Goat in the Novel “The Glass Castle”
• “The Glass Castle”: Fact or Fiction
• The Theme of Guilt and Redemption in “The Glass Castle”
• Life Lessons From “The Glass Castle”: Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Esteem
• The Impact of Addiction on Family Dynamics in “The Glass Castle”
• Mental Illness and Homelessness in “The Glass Castle”
• The Structure of the Memoir “The Glass Castle”
• The Hardship and Suffering of the Author in “The Glass Castle”
• Building Autonomy in Children’s Actions in “The Glass Castle”
• Why Is “The Glass Castle” Controversial?
• What Is the Most Important Lesson From “The Glass Castle”?
• What Does the Phrase “Glass Castle” Mean?
• What Mental Illness Does Rose Mary Have In “The Glass Castle”?
• What Happens to the Kids in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Is “The Glass Castle” Based On?
• How Does “The Glass Castle” End?
• What Is the Time Period of “The Glass Castle”?
• What Does the Cactus Symbolize in “The Glass Castle”?
• Does Rex Die in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Happens at the Zoo in “The Glass Castle”?
• Who Is the Villain in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Stories Does the Father Tell in “The Glass Castle”?
• Why Should Students Read “The Glass Castle”?
• What Are the Difficulties and Sufferings of the Author in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Is “The Glass Castle” All About?
• What Is the Connection Between “The Republic” and “The Glass Castle”?
• What Does the Piggy Bank Symbolize in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Is Shame in “The Glass Castle”?
• How Do Gender Roles Impact Jeannette in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Does the Fire in “The Glass Castle” Symbolize?
• What Was Rosemary’s Dream in “The Glass Castle”?
• How Is the Ecological Systems Theory Reflected In “The Glass Castle”?
• What Is the True Story About the Family in “The Glass Castle”?
• What Is the Structure of the Memoir in “The Glass Castle”?
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The Glass Castle

74 pages • 2 hours read

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Chapters 1-15

Chapters 16-22

Chapters 23-28

Chapters 29-41

Chapters 42-54

Chapters 55-68

Key Figures

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Important Quotes

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Discussion Questions

What does the Glass Castle symbolize for both Dad and Jeannette? How does it play into the slow erosion of Jeannette’s illusions concerning her father?

To what extent are the family’s struggles the result of Dad’s alcoholism? Clearly it has grievous effects on the family, but do you the think the Wallses would thrive if Dad simply stopped drinking? Why or why not?

In what ways does Mom and Dad’s marriage represent a codependent relationship? How does Mom enable Dad’s alcoholism, both implicitly and explicitly?

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The Glass Castle Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

The relationship between the author and her parents is a very complex one. She is both fond of them and attempts to understand their behavior, and is shocked that they are able to be so childish and neglectful in providing for even the very basic needs of the children. Discuss this relationship with consideration to the following questions:

1) Discuss examples of the neglectful behavior described in the book. How are the parents negligent and how are the children able to get by in spite of this?

2) Relate examples of the positive experiences that the author has with each of her parents, and what she considers to be some of their positive characteristics.

Essay Topic 2

The author is able to grow into a successful adult despite her upbringing. How does the author's difficult childhood contribute to the development of self-reliance and confidence? Cite specific instances in the...

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Symbolism in The Glass Castle

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Related Essays on The Glass Castle

Rose Mary Walls is a complex character in Jeannette Walls' memoir "The Glass Castle." Throughout the book, she is portrayed as a free-spirited, unconventional mother who struggles with mental illness and often prioritizes her [...]

One of the most significant events in Jeannette Walls' memoir "The Glass Castle" is the fire that occurs in the family's house in Welch, West Virginia. The fire serves as a turning point in the memoir, representing the [...]

In Jeannette Walls' memoir "The Glass Castle," the theme of resilience in the face of adversity is a central focus that resonates with readers on a deeply emotional level. Through the candid recounting of her tumultuous [...]

Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle, provides a poignant and raw portrayal of poverty and its devastating impact on a family. The memoir chronicles Walls' childhood, growing up in extreme poverty with dysfunctional parents [...]

Alcoholism is one of the most commonly seen problems in familial environments. It not only affects the health of the person consuming the alcohol, but also has an impact on the wellbeing of those surrounding him or her. [...]

Despite being faced with adverse conditions while growing up, humankind possesses resilience and the capacity to accept and forgive those responsible. In The Glass Castle (2005) by Jeannette Walls, Walls demonstrates a [...]

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Best Discussion Essay Examples

The glass castle essay.

1147 words | 4 page(s)

Introduction

Within the novel, The Glass Castle, the author Jeannette Walls shares a memoir about her life growing up. Throughout the realm of her story, it has been found that she had very difficult moments that can be attributed to factors such as her parents, the different people she surrounded herself with and the overall environment that she was placed in (Walls, 2005). One of the most significant aspects is the fact that Walls greatly appreciated the small factors in life once she was able to obtain them as an adult simply because she did not have much growing up as a child. Her parents were not able to provide her with the privileges that most children have as they are raised in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concepts related to parents and their children’s level of appreciation. Furthermore, there will be an assessment to determine if children appreciate certain factors of life more if their parents provide payment or if they pay themselves.

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Parents and Appreciation Level of Children In today’s society, there is an advancement of multiple innovations that many children have a strong affinity for. Within the middle class, upper middle class and high society environments, many children can be found with expensive gadgets, clothes, cars, etc. because their parents have granted them a life in which they are able to afford those things. Many of those children accept those factors without much appreciation and there are other children who are extremely humble and thankful for everything that they have within their lives. Within the Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls was not fortunate enough to have parents that could buy her everything that she truly desired. In fact, Jeannette’s family starts off by living in a shack in which there is no indoor plumbing or any type of central heating.

She had a strong desire for small things like warm water, in which many children have taken for granted. One major example to take into consideration is the fact that Jeannette’s parents did not have enough money to buy substantial Christmas presents for her and her siblings. Instead, her father took the children outside and asked them to pick their favorite star and that was his gift to them. Walls states the following: “We laughed about all the kids who believed in the Santa myth and got nothing for Christmas but a bunch of cheap plastic toys.” Years from now, when all the junk they got is broken and long forgotten,” Dad said, “you’ll still have your stars” (Walls, 2005). Based on this quote, Walls’ father tried to instill in his children that material gifts will not last forever. Instead, the memories of the stars will.

As a whole, it is my personal belief that parents should give children what they can afford. As children grow up, they should be able to learn about the importance of working hard and obtaining money, but I also believe that children will be able to appreciate life in the grander scheme of things if they are able to pave their own pathways and pay for certain factors themselves. While it is unfortunate that there are many families who cannot afford their next meals, it is also unfortunate that there are children who are not provided with different things such as adequate school supplies or healthy food (Borg, 2014). I do not believe that parents should withhold necessities just so that they can teach their children a lesson (Krishnan, 2014). As seen within the Glass Castle, Walls’ family simply could not afford many things, but as time progressed, this allowed the author’s level of appreciation to grow that much more, especially when she starting paying for things herself.

With regard to college, Walls had a strong desire to gain a beneficial education for herself which is why she worked diligently in order to afford her classes. Since she was paying for everything herself, she told herself that she would not miss anything. In this example, I believe that children can be more appreciative if they are paying for things themselves because they are able to see just how difficult it is for money to get by (Dunrud, 2014). As she was growing up, the following was stated: “You didn’t need a college degree to become one of the people who knew what was really going on. If you paid attention, you could pick things up on your own” (Walls, 2005). Most people in Walls’ environment did not even believe in the concept of obtaining a college education, but she motivated herself and pushed through some of the most difficult times in her life.

Privileges Personally, I believe that I would appreciate certain factors such as college if I were to pay for it myself. Furthermore, if I had large expenses, I believe that I would treat the privileges differently from my friends because I have a strong level of appreciation and I am mindful of the difficulties that exist within life. According to Walls, she states the following: “I wanted to let the world know that no one had a perfect life, that even people who seemed to have it all had their secrets” (Walls, 2005). Based on this quote, there is an understanding that even those people who seem to have it all have many hardships as well. Although Walls’ parents struggled to give her many necessities growing up, there were still people who had many more things and they had their own demons to face. Regardless of the fact that Walls did not have much growing up, she was taught a very valuable lesson by her father: “Life’s too short to worry about what other people think… Anyway, they should accept us for who we are” (Walls, 2005). Although there are people who treat the idea of privilege in different ways, the level of appreciation will always vary depending on the upbringing of the child. Moreover, the ideas of respect and acceptance are known to be more important than material things.

Conclusion Overall, Jeannette Walls has been able to overcome her obstacles even though she faced many trials and tribulations growing up. Personally, I strongly believe that children will be able to appreciate certain parameters even more if they are the individuals who are providing payment. However, while this is the case, I do not believe that children should suffer simply because of limitation regarding monetary factors. As seen within the Glass Castle, there should be a stronger emphasis placed on dignity and respect as opposed to material factors.

• Borg, K. (2014). Spare the rod, spoil the child? The Malta Human Rights Library, 26(4), 23-30.
• Dunrud, T. (2014). Children and money: Teaching children money habits for life. University of Minnesota, 12(4), 1-10.
• Krishnan, A. (2014). No one says no to money. International Journal for Equity in Health, 67(5), 3-6.
• Walls, Jeannette. (2005). The glass castle. Scribner Publishers: New York.

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The Glass Castle

By jeannette walls, the glass castle quotes and analysis.

Until then, when I thought of writers, what first came to mind was Mom, hunched over her typewriter, clattering away on her novels and plays and philosophies of life and occasionally receiving a personalized rejection letter. But a newspaper reporter, instead of holing up in isolation, was in touch with the rest of the world. What the reporter wrote influenced what people thought about and talked about the next day; he knew what was really going on. I decided I wanted to be one of the people who knew what was really going on. 204

In seventh grade Jeannette is the first person her age to work for the school newspaper, The Maroon Wave . She seeks it out as a place where she can belong and have an identity without worrying about people teasing her for being poor or dirty or criticizing her parents. During her work with the school newspaper Jeannette discovers what she wants to do with her life and what she later ends up doing: journalism. It is important that she not keep her work to herself or experience it alone, like her mother, but rather that it exist as a dialogue between her and the rest of the world.

If you don't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim. 66

Rex teaches Jeannette how to swim by literally forcing her to sink or swim. He repeatedly throws her into a sulfur spring in the desert, rescuing her when she sinks only to throw her back in again. Using these methods, Rex is able to train Jeannette to paddle and swim in order to avoid being thrown back into the water. This strategy is representative of Rose Mary and Rex's general approach to parenting. Refusing to coddle their children, they often present them with challenges, some life threatening, that the children are forced to handle.

I wondered if the fire had been out to get me. I wondered if all fire was related, like dad said all humans were related, if the fire that had burned me that day while I cooked hot dogs was somehow connected to the fire I had flushed down the toilet and the fire burning at the hotel. I didn't have the answers to those questions, but what I did know was that I lived in a world that at any moment could erupt into fire. It was the sort of knowledge that kept you on your toes. 34

After the hotel where they are staying burns down, a young Jeannette begins to think that fire is a recurring part of her life. She believes that her encounters with fire are all connected and impacted by each other. Most importantly, she realizes that her life is unpredictable and her status transient. Fire is sudden and damaging and capable of changing the trajectory of one's life in an instant. Jeannette's early experiences with fire foreshadow the combustive events to follow in her life.

Mom frowned at me. 'You'd be destroying what makes it special' she said, 'It's the Joshua tree's struggle that gives it its beauty'. 38

When Jeannette devises a plan to aright the Joshua tree which has grown sideways in the direction of the constant wind that passes over it, her mother quickly dismisses the idea. Rose Mary claims that the tree is beautiful not because it grows straight like the other trees, but rather because its struggle defines it and makes it unique. Rose Mary is typically unwilling to tamper with nature and she is particularly drawn to the unique form of the Joshua Tree. Through the figure of the tree a young Jeannette learns an important lesson about non-conformity.

After dinner the whole family stretched out on the benches and the floor of the depot and read, with the dictionary in the middle of the room so we kids could look up words we didn't know...Occasionally, on those nights when we were all reading together, a train would thunder by, shaking the house and rattling the windows. The noise was thunderous, but after we'd been there a while, we didn't even hear it. 56-57

This scene depicts one of the few peaceful, bonding moments shared between members of the Wells family. Not coincidentally, the family bonds around literature and reading. The importance of this scene is two-fold. Firstly, it debunks stereotypes about the homeless being uneducated or dumb and shows that even those without means can be learned. Secondly, it shows how Jeannette becomes influenced at a young age by the written word and is a possible explanation for her later interest in journalism. It is the parents' literary bent that ultimately saves the children, by giving them the education that allows them to escape their parents' life.

We're not poor. 121

When the Walls receive a ride from a stranger after their vehicle breaks down on the highway, Jeannette is annoyed by the tone of the woman who offers to drive them home. She is particularly put off by the woman's frequent use of the word 'poor' to describe the family. Attempting to defend the dignity of her parents and siblings, Jeannette firmly asserts that the family is not poor and the woman quickly apologizes. Following this incident, Jeannette begins to define herself apart from her and her family's situation and she refuses to accept the disdain presented to her by some members of society.

Situations like these, I realized, were what turned people into hypocrites 144

Jeannette stands up to her grandmother, Erma when she questions Jeannette's friendship with a African American classmate. When Erma gets angry, Jeannette is surprised that her parents aren't more supportive of her bravery in countering authority. Rex and Rose Mary are less concerned about Jeannette learning non-conformist practices as they are afraid that they will be kicked out of Erma's home. As a result, they chastise their daughter for angering her grandmother. After this incident, Jeannette realizes that even her parents can be forced to conform if the consequences of rebelling are severe enough.

'Oh Yeah?' I said. 'How about Hitler?What was his redeeming quality?' 'Hitler loved dogs,' Mom said without hesitation. 144

Rose Mary tries to teach Jeannette a lesson in compassion. She explains that even the worst of people have good qualities. Jeannette is frustrated with the prejudice of her grandmother towards Blacks but Rose Mary encourages Jeannette to instead find her grandmother's positive traits and understand the upbringing that indoctrinated her with such hateful ideas. She wants Jeannette to understand, not judge.

Later that night, Dad stopped the car out in the middle of the desert, and we slept under the stars. We had no pillows, but Dad said that was part of his plan. He was teaching us to have good posture. The Indians didn't use pillows, either, he explained, and look how straight they stood. We did have our scratchy army-surplus blankets, so we spread them out and lay there, looking up at the field of stars. I told Lori how lucky we were to be sleeping out under the sky like Indians. 'We could live like this forever,' I said. 'I think we're going to,' she said. 18

This passage illustrates a number of important characterizations in the memoir. Rex, is always dreaming up fantastic alternatives to reality to make life more adventurous for his children. Rex communicates serious situations as privileges and excitement. Jeannette is the only one who plays along with these fantasies of her father's. She believes the words he says, or at least, at a later age, the intent behind them. Though this is early in the memoir, already Lori shows signs of cynicism. She has already stopped believing fully in her father's fantasies and instead sees the reality of their circumstances.

Mom pointed her chopsticks at me. 'You see?' she said. 'Right there. That's exactly what I'm saying. You're way too easily embarrassed. Your father and I are who we are. Accept it.' 'And what am I supposed to tell people about my parents?' 'Just tell the truth,' Mom said. 'That's simple enough.' 5

This conversation takes place immediately before Jeannette's description of her childhood. Her mother behaves almost like a muse invoking Jeannette's story and giving her the confidence to tell it. This quote also reveals some of Jeannette's apprehensions about letting her colleagues and friends know the truth about her life growing up. Even in adulthood, she has a hard time accepting the truth of her upbringing and fears that the past will somehow damage her present happiness.

The Glass Castle Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Glass Castle is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is the family's life like in Battle Creek?

The answer to your question is readily available in GradeSaver's detailed summary and analysis for Part II of the novel.

Euphemism for getting out of town quickly.

Let's scadaddle!

What does Jeannette’s father claim he will one day find?

He says that he will find a lot of gold.

Study Guide for The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle study guide contains a biography of Jeannette Walls, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Glass Castle
• The Glass Castle Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

• Adventures First, Explanations Take Such a Dreadful Time
• The Glass Prison
• The Effect of Parenting Style on Childhood Development: A Reading of The Glass Castle
• Throwing Stones-Resilience and Forgiveness in The Glass Castle
• Alcoholism in the Walls Family

Lesson Plan for The Glass Castle

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Glass Castle
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Glass Castle Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Glass Castle

• Introduction
• Film adaptation