The Glass CastleThe Glass Castleby: Jeannette Wallsby: Jeannette Walls

THEMESTHEMES

Unit theme:Unit theme: CAMOUFLAGECAMOUFLAGE

Why do people try to fit in Why do people try to fit in or remain “unnoticed”?or remain “unnoticed”?

When is it time to stand When is it time to stand up or move on to grow? up or move on to grow? (remove your (remove your camouflage)camouflage)

Is camouflage necessary Is camouflage necessary for survival? for survival?

Is it a part of every Is it a part of every person’s development?person’s development?

Novel themes:Novel themes: 1. NEGLECT 1. NEGLECT

By parents—constant moving, Jeannette burns By parents—constant moving, Jeannette burns herself at 3 years old cooking hot dogs.herself at 3 years old cooking hot dogs.

Jeannette and her brother are forced to steal food to Jeannette and her brother are forced to steal food to survive.survive.

Mom’s refusal to work, and childhood neglect forces Mom’s refusal to work, and childhood neglect forces kids to fend for themselves (physiologically, and even kids to fend for themselves (physiologically, and even sometimes for safety). sometimes for safety).

2. HOMELESSNESS2. HOMELESSNESS Jeannette’s parents choose “homelessness” at the end of Jeannette’s parents choose “homelessness” at the end of

the novel.the novel. Refusal to work, and Rose Mary preferring to live as “an Refusal to work, and Rose Mary preferring to live as “an

excitement addict” leaves them on the streets.excitement addict” leaves them on the streets. Offers a new perspective on homelessness to the Offers a new perspective on homelessness to the

reader… reader… What is homelessness? Is it a life without support and/or What is homelessness? Is it a life without support and/or

structure, or is it physically structure, or is it physically not having a place to sleep?not having a place to sleep?

3. ALCOHOLISM3. ALCOHOLISM

Affects the entire family, not just the person Affects the entire family, not just the person afflicted.afflicted.

Forces the victim to make decisions that are not Forces the victim to make decisions that are not always in the best interest of those around the always in the best interest of those around the victim.victim.

Rex is an alcoholic that makes bad decisions as Rex is an alcoholic that makes bad decisions as a result of his disease. a result of his disease.

Forces the reader to consider—whereForces the reader to consider—where

did his disease originate?did his disease originate?

4. FORGIVENESS4. FORGIVENESS

Jeannette’s tone is very matter-of-fact and direct.Jeannette’s tone is very matter-of-fact and direct. Her perspective changes as she matures, however Her perspective changes as she matures, however

her tone is not one of blame or anger.her tone is not one of blame or anger. Jeannette’s biggest message is one of acceptance, Jeannette’s biggest message is one of acceptance,

tolerance, and forgiveness.tolerance, and forgiveness. Her ability to forgive her parents is whatHer ability to forgive her parents is what

allows her to be a self-actualized, allows her to be a self-actualized,

successful person.successful person.

5. Sometimes the most responsible 5. Sometimes the most responsible people can be the children, not the people can be the children, not the

parents…parents… Throughout the novel the kids are taking care of Throughout the novel the kids are taking care of

each other and their parents… sometimes more each other and their parents… sometimes more so than Rex and Rose Mary care for their own so than Rex and Rose Mary care for their own kids.kids.

Forces the reader to see triumph in difficulty, and Forces the reader to see triumph in difficulty, and growth in places of darkness.growth in places of darkness.

How does this motivate How does this motivate

readers?readers?

6. LOST DREAMS6. LOST DREAMS Many characters lose their Many characters lose their

dreams…dreams… RexRex Rose MaryRose Mary MaureenMaureen

Why?Why? Lack of money?Lack of money? Lack of education?Lack of education? Lack of motivation?Lack of motivation? Addiction?Addiction? Cycle of Abuse?Cycle of Abuse?

What makes Jeannette successful, What makes Jeannette successful, or able to overcome?or able to overcome?

Why Why The Glass CastleThe Glass Castle??

Because it is possible to overcome Because it is possible to overcome the odds.the odds.

It is important to reflect on your past It is important to reflect on your past and decide how YOU WANT it to and decide how YOU WANT it to

REFLECT / DETERMINE your REFLECT / DETERMINE your

future.future. Because if Jeannette can do it… Because if Jeannette can do it…

anyone can!!anyone can!!

THE END…THE END…