Homework Journal #5 The Glass Castle

A. In what way do Jeannette’s job at the jewelry store and her interest in journalism allow her independence?

When Jeannette begins working at the jewelry store she no longer has to fully depend on her parents to provide for her. She saves her money to use for her and her siblings. She worked at the jewelry store to save money for her going to New York to start a career in journalism. The job taught her integrity. Her interest in journalism is completely her own. She is not sharing it with any of her siblings. She learned to live without her parents at a very young age.

B. How does the move to New York symbolize a second turning point in Jeannette’s life? Is this another “skedaddle” or a more justifiable move for Jeannette?

This does seem to symbolize a turning point for Jeannette. It is furthering her journey into adulthood. She is moving in a completely different direction that she had been. She is not conforming to what others suggested she do with her life. She chose to leave a town people got stuck in to go on to bigger and better things. I think this wasn’t just a “skedaddle” where she would stay for a time and move on. She planned to attend college. She probably intended to stay for a more permanent time than she ever had before. She is running towards something, not away.

C. Why do you think Jeannette’s parents choose to continue living on the streets, even after their children are grown?

Jeannette’s parents chose to continue to live on the streets because they never did stay in one place long. I suppose they could never put down such permanent roots as to purchase, or have, a home, a job, responsibility. They became comfortable with living on the streets. They think that their life is a big adventure and they don’t like following other people’s rules.

D. Why does Maureen stab Rose Mary? Why does Jeannette apologize, “for everything” in her mind (p. 276)?

I believe Maureen stabbed Rose Mary because she was completely overwhelmed with the possibility that the mother who never really provided for her was kicking her out. “Maureen was more or less living with the neighbors “ (Walls ). Maureen had never been on her own so she never experience what her siblings did. She usually had people to take care of her. Jeannette apologizes because she is sorry for how Maureen grew up. She promised to take care of her and she felt that she had failed.