Glass Castle Essay - 2762 Words

Assignment the Glass Castle A. Jeannette Walls, in her memoir The Glass Castle, demonstrates Erikson’s eight stages of development. Through the carefully recounted stories of her childhood and adolescence, we are able to trace her development from one stage to the next. While Walls struggles through some of the early developmental stages, she inevitably succeeds and has positive outcomes through adulthood. The memoir itself is not only the proof that she is successful and productive in middle adulthood, but the memoir may also have been part of her healing process. Writing is often a release and in writing her memoir and remembering her history, she may have been able to come to terms with her sad past. The memoir embodies both the proof†¦show more content†¦In doing this, they instill her with a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. It strengthens the skills that she will need as an adult. Jeannette becomes adept at setting goals and achieving them through independence and self-control. E lementary and middle school years (6-12) are Erikson’s fourth stage in which the child must resolve the crisis between industry and inferiority. During this stage, a child becomes more aware of themselves as individuals. It is important that a child learn the feeling of success; if not allowed enough success, they might develop a sense of inferiority or incompetence. Again, it is about the balance of industry and inferiority that leads to competence both intellectually and socially. Despite the fact that the Welsh school administration placed Jeannette in classes for students with learning disabilities, she knows she is smart. She was in honors classes in Phoenix and continues to excel academically under the guidance of her parents. She reads on her own and understands that education is important. Despite her placement in the lower classes and not having any close friends, she is able to develop a sense of industry. Adolescence is Erikson’s fifth stage of development w herein the person must master the conflict of identity versus role confusion. The question, who I am? Is a question that arises during this time? The child is concerned withShow MoreRelatedThe Glass Castle Essay853 Words   |  4 PagesBad Parenting is the act of not showing the responsibilities that should be taken as a mother or father. In The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls reveals the faults of parenting through the use of symbolism , imagery and characterization. Rosemary and Rex’s Struggles to show their children (Jeannette, Lori, Brian) the importance of the appearance and guidance of being by their side as a parent. Jeannette and Rex show their faults by destroying everything the children try to accomplish because of theirRead MoreThe Glass Castle Essay1684 Words   |  7 PagesThe Power to Overcome Sid Udayan January 10, 2012 ENG4U1 Ms. Skakic It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities. This is evident in Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, which reiterates the story of Jeannette who is raised within a family that is both deeply dysfunctional and distinctively vibrant. Jeannette is faced with numerous barriers throughout her life. Despite the many obstacles set forth by her parents during herRead MoreGlass Castle Essay908 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book â€Å"The Glass Castle† by Jeannette Walls poverty goes deeper than just low income. Even while Jeannette’s parents had money coming in, they struggled to support their family properly. 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Together they move fromRead MoreEssay on Glass Castle Timeline1255 Words   |  6 Pagesdogs again, I felt a blaze on my right side.†(9) Western Desert; (21 April 1960 – 20 April 1965); 1-5 years old The book revolves around the idea of the Glass Castle, not the Glass Castle itself. Her parents, especially her father, make many promises to her throughout her life, and each one of them is broken or never achieved. The Glass Castle stuck with her throughout her childhood, and the idea, that was never fulfilled, was first introduced to her by her father when she was a very young age. Read MoreThe Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls1382 Words   |  6 PagesWhether nature, nurture, or both influences a person’s individuality has always been up for debate. What makes a person who they are can be any combination of things. In The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, home is somewhat of an abstract idea; while in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie Sherman, it is more of an internal struggle of identity and where one belongs. By the end of the novels, however, the main characters both have a strong sense of self. Although the conceptRead MoreEssay about Glass Cas tle766 Words   |  4 PagesChildren do not always need loving and supportive parents in order to grow up successful. In The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, not every child needs loving and supportive parents. Although they do love their children, Rex and Mary use very basic parental decisions; the children are very independent and raise themselves for the most part. With the right mindset, motivation and knowledge this can lead to success in life even through the hardest of times. Jeannette was at the lower class growing