Perspective

The memoir, The Glass Castle, is written by Jeannette Walls and describes her unique childhood. Jeanette shares with her readers a view of her life as a child in a family that can only be described as dysfunctional. Jeannette's parents had unusual views on life; and these views influenced the way in which they raised their children. The children were essentially neglected, as the parents spent much of their energy caring for their own needs. Jeannette's father had moral issues against holding down a job, which meant he spent the majority of his adult life out of work. Jeannette's mother, who had a college degree and a teaching certificate, had moral issues against disciplining children. This left her unable to keep a teaching job. Jeanette's father was also an alcoholic and her mother suffered from chronic depression. The inability of Jeannette's parents to function left Jeannette and her...