The Glass Castle (5)

The conclusion of The Glass Castle has left me with strong emotions and an improved perspective on life. Jeannette’s life was so much more than just a story; it was raw and powerful. Seeing Jeannette and her siblings break free from her parents lifestyle was empowering and shattered many victim stereotypes. Regardless of her rough life of abuse, Jeannette was able to find a way to persevere and have a successful life.

Jeannette Walls’ numerous details and uncensored remembrances made me feel that I was traveling with the Walls family; living out all their hardships with them. Every moment had me mesmerized and hungry for more. Each character had beautiful flaws and dynamic personalities; there was never a dull moment when following the daily lives of Walls family. I found myself feeling frustrated, mournful, and elated while witnessing Jeannette’s life unfold.

Seeing Jeannette work for her siblings and herself to live in New York was astonishing; I couldn’t believe that a young girl could pull off a task that most adults would find overwhelming. Jeannette has become a true person of courage in my eyes and I aspire to be as strong as she was in her story. She rarely showed moments of selfishness and usually tried to do what was best for her family. Even though her parents neglected her, Jeannette still showed compassion for them and tried to aid them once they moved to New York. Overall, she was a wonderful and unforgettable character. Although Rex and Rose were neglectful, the hardships that they put their children through made their offspring decide to work to achieve something different, something better, and gave them the strength and resiliency to bring it to fruition.

I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about The Glass Castle; every aspect of the story was so beautifully orchestrated and gave me a view into a completely foriegn world. There were numerous moments in Jeannette’s life that would have overcome me, but she never gave up and she always made do with what she had. Although Jeannette’s life was hard, it sculpted her into the accomplished woman she became by the end of her story.

The Glass Castle has made a strong impact on me and how I intend to live out the rest of my life. I now view my life with an immense amount of gratitude and feel that I have become more knowledgable through the telling of Jeannette’s story. I realize that I can overcome adversity too; being a victim doesn’t mean that a person is defeated. I have a modified outlook on life and look forward to reading more of her books.