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Michaela
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Jan 07, 2016 04:24PM
"The Glass Castle" is not only the title of the book but also a major symbol. It epitomizes Jeanette's maturing and the struggle between reality vs dreams. These themes carry throughout the book. Provide an example and explain how it relates to the glass castle and it's themes.
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The glass castle, being one of the major symbols in the memoir, represents nearly non-conformity, self-sufficiency, and responsibility. This is because no one has ever had a castle, or even a home for that matter, made entirely of glass. Self-sufficiency is present because Rex Walls was going to build it himself and it was going to belong to his family. Finally it represents responsibility because once it was completed, he and his family would be responsible to care for it. This reflects Jeannette's life because she was taught not to conform with other people of society, she lived a nomadic life without a permanent home. Jeannette had to be self-sufficient from an early age, she had to cook for herself and maintain a life without the full presence of her parents. She had to be responsible for herself by providing for herself and being responsible for what she did.
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Like Allison and Maria I also think that the glass castle is a major symbol in the book, but like Michaela said, I think that it represents Jeanette's maturing. In the beginning of the book, Jeanette is very young and believes everything her dad tells her, like how they will build a glass castle for them to live in in the future. She even helps make blueprints for them. But as she ages she starts to realize that this was all an illusion. During her time in Welch Jeanette starts to dig a hole for the castle but as her dad tells her to fill it with garbage the illusion of this dream is gone. This causes her to mature as she starts to realize not to believe everything she's told and that sometimes people brake the promises they make.
The Glass Castle depicts the struggle of reality vs illusion. Although as a child Jeanette first loves the idea of a glass castle, she soon realizes that it is a fantasy, something her father never could. The castle therefore is a symbol of growing up, which her father never did. Right before she left for NYC Rex tries to convince her one more time to stay but she, being a mature young adult tries to explain to her father "you'll never build the Glass Castle." (238). The reality was that Jeanette needed to try and get out of the hole their parents had created which was the illusion that a glass castle, or impossible dream, could fix everything.
Similar to what Allison said, I believe the glass castle is a symbol that shows Jeanette is no longer ashamed of her parents, no longer wanting to hide the fact they are related. Her 'identity' is exposed, just like anything in a castle made of glass would be exposed. In addition, the glass castle symbolizes all of the Rex Walls has, which he will never work up to. When sober, I think it is safe to say that Rex is nothing short of a genius, especially in the areas of "...science and math... biographies and history" (page 92).
