Glass_Castle

Aubhrey Davis Shannon Minnich Young English Composition I October 24, 2011 The Glass Castle I feel as though Rex and Rosemary Walls are horrible parents and there parenting techniques are way off balance. They are horrible parents because of there selfishness, there beliefs, and there actions and the role model example set upon them for there kids. But through all there issues Laurie, Maureen, Jeannette and Brain all seem to find the silver light at the end of the tunnel. One major lesson that could be drawn from there lifestyle is that “When we fail that how we really find out who we are”. (Jeannette Walls, Book Seminar) Rosemary and Rex Wall’s are horrible parents. In today’s society they would be considered horrible role models for their kids. Usually as a parent you expect your kids to lean on you and come to you when they don’t know how to do something. But in Rosemary’s case it was different. Rosemary and Rex raised their kids to fend and only depend on themselves and not others. Jeannette stated that “When Jeannette was three years old; she was standing on a chair in front of the stove wearing a pink dress her grandmother brought her. At that moment, she was wearing the dress to cook hot dogs, watching them swell and bob in the boiling water. She heard her mom painting and singing and the other room and her dog watching her. So she gave him a hot dog. Jeannette then stood up and stirred the hot dogs again when she felt a blaze of heat up her right side. She turned to only realize her dress was on fire” (Walls 9). I use this example specifically because at this time Jeannette was only three years old. Between the ages of one and five you don’t know a lot so you depend on others for help. At three you are just beginning to understand the world you are put in. At that stage in your life you’re learning the basics of life. But the basics of life don’t include cooking. In this particular situation I feel as though she chose her painting over her daughter and that was selfish. As an outsider looking in I kind of assumed Rosemary expected Jeannette to handle the task of making her self something to eat as if she was 15 years old. As a mother Rosemary expected Jeannette to act and carry out that task like a mature adult even if Jeanette was only three. Rex Walls on the other hand is no better than his wife Rosemary when it comes to parenting his children. He not only is a drunken role model for his children, but he lies, steals and uses them all the time. He uses his children whenever and for whatever. Jeannette in particular was used in the worst way possible. “That Saturday, Rex told Jeannette he needed to pay her back; he just had to earn the money first. He wanted Jeannette to accompany him on a business trip. Rex said Jeannette needed to wear something nice. Rex borrowed a car and they drove through the mountains to a nearby town, stopping at a roadside bar. Gaunt men creased cheeks and women with dark-red lipstick sat along the bar. Jeannette and Rex sat at the bar. Rex then went to go play pool and a guy named Robbie came and sat next to Jeannette. Robbie asked Jeannette did she know how to dance and they danced. Jeannette was kind of optimistic about the whole thing because she knew he was after one thing. Jeannette started to tell Robbie she’s not that kind of girl but Jeannette thought Robbie would think she was thinking to far ahead. Rex then hollered for Robbie to come over and play pool. Rex held back at first and lost money to Robbie, and then he started upping the stakes and beat him. After dad beat him out of eighty dollars he wanted Jeannette to come to his apartment and just dance. Jeannette was unsure and so Robbie asked Rex and Rex said sure. So they went upstairs and they were dancing until Robbie hand dropped down and squeezed Jeannette’s bottom, Robbie then pushed Jeannette on the bed and began kissing Jeannette. Jeannette told Robbie “she wasn’t that kind of girl” but Robbie ignored Jeannette. When Jeannette tried rolling away he pinned her. So he talked about how skinny Jeannette was and how hard Jeannette was going to be to screw and Jeannette added its going be even harder with her scars. So she showed him her scars and made a mad dash to the front door and ran”. (Jeannette210-213) This example is important to me because it was eye opener. As a Dad you are expected to be the provider and the protector of your family. But in Rex Wall’s situation he is neither. Rex basically prostituted Jeannette for booze. As a parent your child should never be introduced to something like that while in your care. Rex didn’t know what could have happen to his Jeannette all Rex knew is that he got what he wanted and that’s selfish. While reading this book and going to the seminar I learned that through all the issues and the problems Laurie, Brian, Maureen, and Jeannette went through they all seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel. I also learned that “When we fail that how we really find out who we are” (Jeannette Walls, Book/Seminar). I strongly believe the Walls children have proven that. Laurie made it out of Welch and ventured of to New York to find her a job and to have a life outside of Welch; Jeannette hustled and earned her way to New York to go to school. And she ended up with a great job at a local newspaper company and had gotten married not once but twice, Maureen made it to New York also and stayed with Laurie until she came across conflict and ventured off to California, and Brian made it to New York after a lot of convincing and he has a family now. I feel as though parents in today’s society should allow their children to fail at least once in there life even when they know they can help. As a child I have always been sheltered. I was expected to act and be a certain way and not think twice about being any different. My family has always kept a close watch on me. I was never allowed to think for my self and everything I did and wanted to do was questioned. Everything was always handed to me on a silver platter. With all that I became disobedient. It was mainly in school towards others and my teachers but as I became older it leaned more towards my family. I began getting in trouble and the principal called home every single day, my mother would answer and when they notified her of my suspensions for a long period of time she always persuaded the principals to put me in ISS.ISS is an In School Suspension. So instead of being at home and failing, I am now in school learning and doing my work with my socializing skills being revoked. I also remember when applying for college how difficult it was for me. Initially I was already enrolled .I just never went through and finish the enrollment process because I was going off to the navy and I thought I was leaving when the fall semester started. I got my leaving date and it wasn’t until March 6th so I thought I would go to school until then. While I was finishing up the enrollment process the lady basically told me I am no longer able to enroll. My mom then stepped in and somehow I am now enrolled in college as a Pre Med major. Needless to say if I ever failed at anything my family was always there to pick up the pieces for me. I think it’s important to let your child fail at least once before your come and save them. I come from rescuers and safety nets always being there and now look at me I am on my own and can fail at any moment and not know what to do. Rex and Rosemary Walls are horrible parents and their parenting techniques are way off balance. But through all there issues Laurie, Maureen, Jeannette and Brain all seem to find the silver light at the end of the tunnel. Parents in today’s society need to let there children fail at least once in there life even when they know they can help. As a victim of rescuers and safety nets I am now scared to fail because I wouldn’t know what to do if I did. Jeannette stated that “When we fail that’s how we really find out who we are” (Jeannette Walls, Book Seminar). I have yet to find who I am.1507