Wed
09
Dec
2009
One College, One Book Blog 1
Go to the Libguides on our Library website and make yourself familiar with the various tabs for The Glass Castle.
While watching the videos create a few questions you would like to ask the author. Please write the questions below. These questions will be your baseline for the next 2 blogs.
60 Comments (Discussion closed)
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#1
After reading some of the book, I am surprised that Jeannette Walls is not furious with her parents in the videos. I am hoping I will learn more about the "why" as I continue to read.
I am also wondering if her siblings are as "healthy" as she thinks she is. -
#2
From reading "The Glass Castle" and watching Mrs. Walls discussing her book, A lot of my questions have been answered from analizing the story from various psychological theories, but I do have one major question that can, when a general answer be given, can be broken down into more specific questions. Here is this question
How much truth does Mrs. Walls see in the wisdom and ideology of her mother and hr father?
Has this perception changed over time?
If so, how much, or how man times?
If not, then why? What would make her see a lot of truth in her parent's wisdom, having been exposed to other various ideologies and experiences that the world has to offer? -
#3
After watching the videos, and learning a little more about what this book is about, I do have a few questions. One question sticks out the most to me though.
Did Ms. Walls feel so positivly about her childhood all along or did she only start to see the hope after writng the book?
and
Has she gained any awareness of her own behaviors through revisiting her past and now been able to change?
I will need to read the book to get a better understanding of what she went through but I'm curious to see if any of this will be revealed in the book. -
#4
After watching the videos of Jeannette Walls, it makes me excited to start the book. The videos of the the dumpsters and drunken dad make your heart almost break to know that someone went through that. But when Jeannette speaks about it, she talks about it as if it wasn't that bad. A boy called her book white trash and she said that it was one of the best compliments she had ever received.
I don't know if I completely buy everything that she says. I feel like sometimes she's saying things into inspire people more then speaking from the heart. I can't understand how a little girl could go through such awful things and come out with the attitude that it was no big deal.
I have two questions I would ask her. One being "Why do you speak about your past in such an up beat way?" And second being "What are your feelings on your father and mother now?"
I figure towards the end of the story I might find out more about it but family is suppose to be one of the most important things in your life. I imagine it's a struggle to not have a close relationship with them. -
#5
Watching these videos has peaked my interest in The Glass Castle and has brought a couple of questions to mind.
To start, if Ms. Walls was so concerned to write this book in the first place, shouldn't there be a tinge of reluctantness in her discussions of it? She's so comfortable with speaking about it openly and honestly, I wonder if part of her has separated herself from her childhood, as if she's speaking about someone else.
Secondly, what's her personal life like now? Did she marry? Have children? If so, are they allowed to see and interact with their homeless grandparents?
Should be interesting... -
#6
After watching the video's of Jeannette Walls it makes me eager to learn more about her. The video's bring forth my curiosity toward Jeannette Wall's thoughts and ideas on her childhood and why she feels the way she does. Many question's come to mind after learning more about the book The Class Castle, such as;
Why does Jeannette feel as though events in her past weren't all that bad?
Now, after telling her story, does she still believe that her behaviors have not been affected by her past?
What is the "glass castle" ?
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#7
Having already read a a good amount of the book and listed to her speak of events that took place during her childhood with such ease, I naturally have an abundance of questions jumbling around in my head. Is it possible that the empowered, positive woman she portrays herself to be is some sort of a coping mechanism? Does she really think that the extreme lack of stability during her childhood didn't effect her psychological development? I can understand that she is not resentful towards her parents, but does she at least hold them accountable for their exceedingly inadequate parenting? How much abuse, in any form, does she believe is necessary for a person to endure before they can deem themselves damaged?
.. just to name a few.. -
#8
These videos give us a little glimpse into the optimistic but perhaps slightly unrealistic author of The Glass Castle. I would be interested to know if she always felt the same idealistic optimism that she seems to preach in her tours? Not everyone who grows up poor becomes a wealthy park avenue gossip writer. In fact, many who are brought up in poverty have an extremely difficult time breaking away from it. Her attitude towards her former life of destitution and poverty, and towards her alcoholic father is of course, lovely-almost fairytale like. The notion that her father was telling her to "face her demons" when she was a little girl, could perhaps simply be his way of telling her everyone has demons, including himself. However, perhaps after reading the entirety of her book, I will have a deeper understanding of her almost fake attitude towards her past.
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#9
PS..Rachael S ^^^^ <oops>
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#10
Don't know if any of you read the New Times but I was given a very interesting article today. It's a book review of 'The Trauma Myth' by Susan A. Clancy. I will bring the article to class tommorow because it's right up the alley of The Glass Castle. I have not read the book yet but am very interested as I watched the video and read the summary.
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#11
Questions for the author:
-Did she ever receive any form of psychiatric help as an adult or a child?
-Did she ever report the actions to anyone other than her mother?
-What is her trust for men like now?
I haven't read the book yet, but I can see where the author is coming from. Just as we find different cultures rituals and habits strange, most find this habit of the author strange. But I believe that it is normalcy to them. As a child if you are raised thinking that something is normal, it wont affect you because you truly think there's nothing strange about it. Although, some could claim that this is a repression of painful memories. -
#12
I have not read the book yet, but I have seen the vidoes and have heard about her and her book. I have to say that she does not make me happy. I understand how in certain cultures things like that is ok and those who ahve that happen to them have to deal with it. But really its not ok at all. In appropriate term I myself was hurt by someone who I thought I could trust and not only that he tried to kill me unless I did not speak of what he did. When you get hurt as a young child "Yes" you dont think about telling someone right away for you are in to much of a shock and to hurt to do anything. Some children are able to teel people and some are not. When you get older after what has happened you dont become ok and act like nothing has happened. What happens to you stick with you for ever. Talking to people and trying to help others who have gone through the same things can make what happen to you fell alittle better but it doesn't make it go away. You can push it into the back of your head for a long time and try not to think about but it doesn't work. I'll admit my mom's reaction to what happened to me wasn't a great one either. I didn't tell her what happened until last yr for the person who hurt me ended up being my mother's new husband's nephew. They talked to him and his reasoning for what he did was because he loved me. My mom told me that he didn't mean to hurt me; that kids are just cerious, he loved me and that he had a tough life so he is messed up. I did not take to that at all. But because my mom told me something that wasn't the great thing to tell me; doesn't mean im going to go around telling people that having someone hurt you is a ok thing. It's not! It changes the way you look at things and life, and become a more carfully person. Once again though you never forget it..
Questions For the Author:
-Even though her mother didn't help her why didn't she go to someone else?
-Why are you going around telling people that what happened to you is an ok thing? That right there is basically telling people that it is ok to hurt other for its a naturally thing. Is that what you are saying?
-If that was to happen to your children or grandchildren, would you tell them that its ok that it happened? -
#13
I was raped at the age of 18, and I still have a little PTSD from it. I don't understand how she can openly talk about it as though she's perfectly fine, normal, and as if nothing bad ever happened to her. You never fully "get over" being raped. You can heal through time, therapy, and your own will power. I think that she must have some scars from her experiences. Some questions for her:
How did she cope with this ?
How did she heal ?
Is she really healed, or not ? -
#14
After gaining some understanding as to Jeannette's past i was hit with one disturbing question above all my shock. I thank heaven that i have never been sexually abused. However if i had been, i would imagine that i would be deeply scared. But that not what gets me. My problem is that i feel as if Jeannette makes the horrible discussing thing of sexual abuse not a big deal. I would be DEEPLY offended if i had had to go though such trauma, and a public figure was basically telling me i have been over reacting. Sexual abuse is not okay. I think this lady may have a point when she says " life is what you make it". however sexual abuse should not be apart of life. it is not okay. it needs to be dealt with.
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#15
Ohhhh and my questions:
- Does she believe people who do see counselors or therapists are wasting there time?
- Was is emotionally difficult for her to visit her past when writing her book, or not?
- What do experts think about her 'healing'??\ -
#16
After viewing a few video's of Jeannette Walls talking about her book, I was able to get an understanding as to what the book is about and her purpose of writing it. Hearing about a couple of her stories with her father and her childhood I was able to understand a few points she was giving about telling the truth. I can see how she would want to touch the hearts of people who can simulate their lives with hers and help themselves feel better but I do not believe that it is OK to grow up in a lifestyle such as Jeannette Walls without some extra support. I do not believe in some of her views such as sexual abuse. As a child being raised to think that everything that has happen to her was OK, which is strange, i can see her as a child being OK but it sparked a couple question to my head..
Even though as a child she though that the bad or horrible things that happened to her were OK, when she got older and learned more knowledge between what people and society believes to be right and wrong, how did she feel about it? If she thought it was fine, why?
Has she ever had any emotional suffering with any of the trauma that shes been through, at all?
Because of her perspective on things and how she was raised, did that effect any of her relationships in life such as friends, boyfriends, co-workers, teachers? -
#17
I read the book in 2 days and you were right Professor, it was hard to put down. My life was very different than Jeanette's, but then the same in a lot of ways. What I related to was shame. I don't believe there are any families out there in this big world that don't hold on to some kind of secret. Both of my grandfathers were pedophiles and sexual abuse is more common than you think. We are just hearing about it now. You would never have heard my father talking about getting beaten or his sister being raped when they were young.That kind of pain follows a family until it's let out into the open and that is very difficult to do. You are only as sick as the secrets that you keep, my mother always says. And she is right. Maybe that is why Jeanette seems to be handling her past so well. She is in therapy, just by writing her book and speaking to the whole world about her shame. By no means am I saying what happened in her life was exceptable or right as I can not imagine my father pimping me out. However alcoholism, addiction, makes you do pretty disgusting things, things you would never have imagined doing and children unfortunately are caught in the middle with no means of escape. Again not an excuse.That is until they are older and carry on the behavior like Jeanette's sister.I have done alot of things in my life that I'm not proud of but telling another human being and giving it life actually takes the life of that secret away.It's like taking oxygen away from a flame.I don't see Jeanette as someone unaffected but rather adapted because there was no other way, unless she totally fell apart and checked out of life altogether.I would ask Jeanette what her escape is? Has she been able to go through the emotions of being really angry at her parents for not protecting her and making her grow up faster than she should have? Has the experience of writing this book helped silence some of her demons?
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#18
After looking at a couple of Jeannette Walls videos I am starting to understand a little bit what the book is about. I think that reading this book will be interesting and I will not agree with everything Jeanette Walls says but I want to read this book with an open mind. A couple of questions I have are..
What is the glass castle? Has anything that has happened to Jeannette happened to her siblings as well? Do her siblings feel the same way she does? -
#19
AFter watching the movie she seems like she is a very confident women now and that she doesnt let things get in her way or stop her from suceding in life. i have a couple of questions.. how did she recover from this? did any of her siblings get hurt as well? and when did she come out about this?
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#20
After watching the movie, Jeannette seems very confident and very bright women now. She seems to live a normal life after what happen to her when she was younger. I can't belive that this happen to her when she was younger.
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#21
After watching these videos I realized it's one thing to have confidence and acceptance with yourself, but to be okay with something that's just down right wrong is another. I do have to say I am excited to start the book.
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#22
After watching these videos, i thought Janette seems very comfortable talking about her story and she seems fine but i just cant imagine that shes not effected by her experiences.
if i had to ask her a few questions, id askher why she didnt let her homeless mother stay with her on Park street? How did you feel when people came up to you and told you their stories after reading yor book? why was she so afraid of telling the truth? and why she thought she would lose everything if she did? -
#23
After watching the videos on the website, I see how Jeannette Walls seems so comfortable in her own shoes. Yet, I sit in the library and wonder how this is possible. If I were to meet her, or have the chance to ask her a few questions, they would be as follows:
What makes her able to joke about her childhood even though she was so poor and experienced so much? Most people couldn't do this after a bad experience.
If she was so afraid that she would lose her friends, family, and job for writing this book, what gave the final push to write it even with these possibilities?
How could she live in such great conditions if she knew her mother was living on the streets? -
#24
I have yet to start the book, but after watching Ms. Walls talk about The Glass Castle I am extremely intrigued. I think that her father giving her venus was an adorable gesture whether it was his to give away or not. Jeannette seems to be comfortable talking about her childhood now, but how did she feel about it growing up?
Does she resent her parents in any way for the way she was raised?
Do her siblings feel the same way that she does? Can they joke about these issues as well?
Why was Ms. Walls afraid of losing everything she has earned by telling the truth about her past so much?
I cannot wait to answer my questions. -
#25
Did she really think she was happy when she was growing up?
Did she think all the other kids were going through the same things as her? -
#26
After watching the videos of Ms. Walls I went out and bought The Glass Castle and can't wait to read about her life. As for the questions that I would ask her, well, I'm curious why she seems so comfortable talking about her past concerning her upbringing and her parents, yet says she was fearful that she would lose her friends and those close to her after the release of the book. If she is so comfortable with her past and considers a compliment of "you're white trash" as the best compliment she has received, why would she be fearful of losing or offending her friends??? And if she never crossed paths with her mother living on the streets, would she ever have been motivated to write this book? Is she presently close with her siblings and parents? What do they think about the book? Have they read it? Looking forward to reading the book and experiencing how she saw her life growing up.
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#27
The thing I liked most about Jeannette Walls' videos was the Demon story. I'd like to ask her if she wasn't scared being so young and being pulled out in the middle of the night, why would she scared of a monster? I'm wondering if maybe that was just a cry for attention as a child. I'd like to ask her if she ever considered just running away or calling the police on her parents, and why she felt so much hope for them. I'd also like to ask her why she didn't invite her mother to live in the apartment with her if her parents were that great of an influence and meant that much to her, and why they meant that much when they treated her terribly? Did she realize how bad of parents they were when she was young?
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#28
After watching the videos, I'd like to ask her the following questions.
Why is she always speaking that positively about her father, and just telling stories that refer to him as a good guy who always tried to make them feel special?
Now that she's successful, does she support people financially or personally, that live in poverty or poor circumstances as she did?
I think,she also said that the abuse in her childhood did not influence her life negatively later on. So my question would be the following.
Is she considering the abuse of children as not harmful for their life in general later on, when they are abused at a certain age (e.g. same age as she was)? -
#29
After watching the videos and beginning the book, I believe Jeannette Walls appears to be comfortable with her history. Her parents were creative with their interpretation of life and daily occurrences. I believe everyone has their own story and that things are not what they appear to be, most of the time. Some of my questions for the author would be: Do you have any "demons" now after writing the book? Did you marry? Do you have children? If so, how are you raising them? Are you using any of your parent's morals?
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#30
Growing up, did she know that her family was different than other's and that normal families don't run from their problems?
As she talks about herself and insists that she has a healthy state of mind and her childhood did not effect her life now, would she change how she grew up if she had the chance?
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#31
Questions for the author:
As you got older and started writing your book did you know in your head how immoral and unethical the experiences were in your past? Can you see how riding in the back of a Uhaul for 14 hours holding your newborn sister was abuse mentally and physically? I know if I saw that I wouldn't have hesitated to call the authorities. Are you offended when people comment on your life in a bad way, or look at it in a bad light? I know doubt feel that she had a strong connection with her father and her siblings but the things she underwent and the things she seen is very life altering. -
#32
Life is what you make of it...and so are your problems. The ability for people to overlook negative aspects of their lives allow them to continue moving on. If every doctor became traumatized after a patient they were caring for died then we wouldn't have any more doctors. Mrs. Walls said, "You can't change your past but you can change the way you feel about it". I believe that her situation is legit and that she's not just hiding under this false look of confidence.
The only questions I have for her so far is:
If you had a child who went through the same situation as you did in terms of abuse how would you deal with it,what would you tell him or her? What if the child isn't in the same mind set as you are? Also how would you treat the person who abused your child? -
#33
After watching the videos I became saddened at the fact that this little girl went through all of this. But once the videos were over I couldn’t understand why she was acting like what happened to her was perfectly normal. How could she be ok with everything and able to be so open to write this book about her life. How could she not be angry and upset and everything with her parents. How is her relationship with her parents now? What is the “Glass Castle” ? I’m so excited to read this book.
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#34
After watiching the videos, I realize that she had a rough life as a child. I am also glad that this little girl was able to come out as a wonderful person. I am excited to read this book and learn about her. I have heard some wonderful things about this book.
Eventhough I am excited to read this, I am sad at the same time, because I cannot see how someone could do this to anyone, let alone a little girl.
I am hoping by reading this book, that I will be able to understand a lot more thiings and get my questions answered. Like, How is she ok?, and how about her relationship with her parents? -
#35
Watching these videos it made me sad, the way she could just come out publicly and speak like that about her life. I know she wrote the book but it is different when something is written and something actually being spoken. I cant wait to sit down and read this book, the way she speaks is so clear, and her choice of words and they way she forms them together is easily understood. I cant really come up with any questions excect where she got the name for book. Im assuming it has to do with something in her life. Excited to start reading the Glass Castle.
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#36
I just got into the first few chapters of the book. And listen to her video.'
And I can understand how she can feel embarrassed to be seen with or around her mother.
But I do have a few questions and most of them probably will be answered as I continue and complete Glass Castle.
1. Did Jeannette Walls ever menage to help her parent, physically, mentally, emotionally and/or financially?
And did they except the help evenly?
2.were are here siblings, did she offer to help them, and also what did they think of the book?
3 dose Jeannette Walls still feel ashamed of her parents and try to keep her social life (family and friends) out of her parents lives? -
#37
After watching these videos, I am amazed by how normal she really does seem. Walls speeches were inspirational. I have not read the books yet, but I am glad I have a better understanding of the author and what she is like now.
Walls says that she was not effected by her childhood, however, what is her view on things like therapy for other children that have gone through similiar abuse?
What does the title "The Glass Castle" represent? Does it have to do with her past, present of future?
Walls talks about her dad telling her to face her demons and fears, which is obvious she did this through life. So this leads to my next question.
Is there a certain person, place, or event like the story of their being a monster in her room, that really made her come to peace with her past? Or did she realize she can live a normal life alone?
We know that her father has died, however; what is the rest of her family and people from her past doing? How do they cope with the past and are they living in shame and embarissment or did their past not effect their lives like Walls.
I am looking foward to start reading her books to get a better understanding of her childhood and why she views this book a having hope and a dream for the future. -
#38
After watching the videos, I had many questions going through my mind. I noticed that she is very confident with herself now. She also makes it seem like nothing ever happened to her. So her are a few of the questions.
1.) Is she really healed, or not?
2.)what is her trust for men like?
3.)Are her siblings able to be as open about the whole thing as she is? -
#39
After watching the videos it is clear that Jeannette is a smart and successful woman despite her past.
How long did it take to overcome your shame and embarassment and are you still struggling with it? She had been abused mentally and physically throughout her childhood but seems to maybe still not fully realize the extent of the abuse. Is it difficult to talk about your abuse? Has the abuse affected your future in any kind of way? Clearly a person can overcome a tough childhood and become successful but is it hard to live a happy life? Do you have any trust issues?
I think Jeannette is not trying to say that it's easy to overcome these obstacles, but with the right state of mind and hard work, you can live a fulfilling life. -
#40
After watching the clips and reading half the book, listening to Jeannette speak about her book is incredible. After all she's come through, she seems to be such a strong person. But I'm stuck thinking:
-Has she been through psychiatric care to help cope with her past, and make her see everything turned out for the best?
-Was it hard to tell everyone your story?
-Did you first deny anything happenned?
I think she's a brave and incredible person to tell everyone her story, reaching out to people of all ages and making everyone see their life for the best and appreciating everything they have. -
#41
After watching the videos of Jeannette Walls, I have a few questions for her.
Does the rape ever affect her? Does it come back into her mind? Or is she totally over it?
Do her siblings feel the same way about their past?
Does she ever see her parents now, at this stage in her life? -
#42
After watching the videos it shows that she truly believes she is happy with the way her life was and how she was raised. What I don't understand is how she really thinks she is unaffected. She was raised to think all these things were ok, but deep down she must have known they weren't normal. Looking back isn't she embarrassed to have been so accepting of such a dis-functional life? Would she want to raise her children in that environment?
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#43
When I finished watching the videos many questions came to mind. I was very saddened at the fact of what was happening, it shocked me, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Questions were already coming to my mind, what are her parents thinking? And what was running threw her mind? As the movie came to an end, I couldn’t understand how she took everything so calmly. More questions that came to mind for me was how is her relationship with her parents now? And do she still think what was happened was normal? I hope to find out more of what the title means as I start to read the book now.
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#44
After fully reading the book, I certainly can see that there are many levels of dysfunction throughout the Wall's house hold. While I was reading the book, however, the main aspect that really caught my attention, was that there was no clear-cut case between neglect and comfort for the most part. Before I started reading the story, I thought it was going to be an overly cliche, conventional story, based on a clear case of neglect and abuse. Interestingly, however, Jeannette's life was mixture of many things, like love and inattention , distrust and solace, among many other areas of confusion as well. I can see that these emotional extremes should played a much more damaging effect on Jeannette, so it is interesting to see her resilience through it all. After Watching the videos, and witnessing Jeannette's adamant defense of her parents, my wonderment makes me ask these questions:
1.Does she feel that her parents loved her and her siblings unconditionally, or does she suspect that her parents were raising the children because of obligation or a sense possession?
2.Does she feel that the behaviors displayed by her parents were intentional or unintentional?
3.If question 2 was unintentional, does she think these behaviors could be related to any kind of mental illness?
4.Lastly, does she feel that the parental neglect gave her a sense of independence? If so, did it help her with her goals later on in life? -
#45
My questions before i finished the book were:
A. Does she believe people who do see counselors or therapists are wasting there time?
B. Was is emotionally difficult for her to visit her past when writing her book, or not?
-C. What do experts think about her 'healing'??
A. As for question A i can honestly say yes. Now this gets narrowed down to people who go to therapists with similar issues to her. i think the people who have experienced similar negative things who seek professional help are a little silly in her eyes. she doesn't see how the dire effects and traumas some carry with them could be from the exact same things she encountered as a child.
B. as i read the book i did not feel much struggle from her as she retold her stained childhood. i thought it was just her spilling out the truth. so i looked her up and tried to find out how she felt as writing the glass castle. when asked about writing the book she was quoted saying “Writing this story was a little like diving off the high dive — once you’re up there you just have to do it," . after reading this i think writing this book was as i predicted. easy for her. it was what she did. who she was. and she was not sacred of that. she was only nervous about how others would perceive it.
C. I had a hard time answering this question for myself. was writing the book an amazing form of therapy for her? did it work for her? or do professionals think she is 'sick'? After reading the book not only could i not answer my own question but it raised the ones above.I googled a few things and tried to find some sort of professional opinion on jeannette walls but wasn't successful. if any one has the answer for me let me know!
All-in-all this was a very.....intriguing book. i have lent it out to a few friends. curious to feed of of there interpretations. it was an easy read and sparked some major debates. perfect book for a child psychology class. this book goes though the first few erik erickson stages and its amazing that she is not more "skrooed up".i felt like her industry vs. inferiority stage was most crucial for her. she made her self important with out much out side help. she was strong and knew what she liked and what she didn't. i was amazed with her durning this stage. -
#46
the question i found myself wondering throughout the whole book was why Jeanettes's grandmother (on her mothers side) never thought to talk to someone about having those children taken away from the parents or even just taking them herself and taking care of them. She knew that they'd be better off with herself.
I also didn't understand how a hospital could let something like her father run her out of the hospital at 3 years old happen. -
#47
Well i have to say so far i can't stand this book, so I haven't read to much of it. I did just watch the two videos anyway, and I really would like to know some answers to a few of my questions.
1. In the second video when she was talking about the speech she made at her dads funeral, she talked about how her dad gave her venus. Then her older sister goes and says something like, oh thats dad giving things that don't belong to him in the first place. So what my point is is that why doesn't jeannette have the same negative feelings as her sister?
2. One thing that really bothered me was the way the father acted after jeannette got burned really bad. He should have never kidnapped her from the hospital. She should have healed properly before he took her. So why did he do that?
3. I also think that it is horrible that her parents even let a three year old cook hot dogs. Also even after she got out of the hospital, her mother was to busy painting to cook her a hot dog that got her burned in the first place. Why does her mother not take care of her children like she should?
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#48
After watching the videos of Jeanette Walls, i am kind of in disbelief. I don't understand, how Jeanette Walls can love and appreciate her parents after the way she was treated!She acts like it doesn't bother her at all.
1. Does Jeanette Walls really think that her childhood was not that bad? Or, is she just putting on an act for the public, to maybe help other people like her not feel so bad.
2. If Jeanette Walls could go back and change anything about her child hood, would she really not want to change anything?
3. why is the book called the glass castle? -
#49
Jeanette Walls portrays her terrible life in the first beginning pages and chapters of The Glass Castle. As a reader my opinion about her lifestyle and her life a young girl made me feel very sorry for her; that she and or anyone that would have to be put through issues such as she faced. As Walls explains all of her personal experiences of her childhood, she lets the reader feel a personal connection to her life. After watching the videos, my perspective of how I felt for her changed. Jeanette faced reality and decided that after her lunch with her mother, she began to realize that her mother was right, that she shouldn't be embarrassed of who she was and her family and the way they lived their lives. That is when she went home and started the idea of The Glass Castle. Walls explained that while she was writing the book she was afraid that as soon as everyone read it, she would loose everything in her life that she had worked so hard to receive such as her job, her friends, and her reputation. She then went on to say how wrong she was, and how much better she now feels that she isn't hiding behind a lie, and that she never had to; everyone excepted her for who she was. I feel as though it is a good thing to tell the truth about her life. I don't feel as bad as I did for her from reading the book, after seeing the way she was able to talk about her childhood and not be angry with her parents for the way they treated her and the way that she was brought up, with close to nothing.
Questions I have for Walls would be :
Did you feel completely alone and abandoned your entire childhood?
If so, how did you deal with everything that you were put through, did you have any help?
Were there any other adults that you would have been able to express how terrible you're lifestyle was and they would have been able to help you?
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#50
She must of been very brave and open about her life because I would think if other people went through that They wouldn't want to share it. So I wonder where she got the courage to open up and share her story to the world?
I don't know if someone could really come out of her situation and be okay with it and live a completely normal life. I kind of feel like she is putting on an act for the public. How did she not have any sort of therapy during her life? -
#51
After watching the videos and reading the book all I can say is wow. Jeannette Walls is definitely unapologetic for herself and the thigns that have happened in her lifetime. For that I admire her. However, I do have to say that although she may not believe in therapy for the things that she has gone through, something must've clicked in her at some point in order for her to be so forgiving towards her parents and accepting of her upbringing.
If I were to ask the author any questions, I would ask her;
-Was writitng the book therapeutic for you?
-Would you do anything to alter any part of your upbrining?
-Do you think your parents acted the way they did out of genuine love and concern or selfishness and laziness? Explain this please?
I feel I could ask her questions all day, there is definitely a lot going on beneath the surface with her. -
#52
I am curious as to why they were so poor, or POO as she put it?
What are her siblings current circumstances?
Why is it that she could meet with her mother days later yet not even acknowledge her while in the taxi?
How could she sleep at night in her nice bed knowing her mother was sleeping on the streets?
How did she overcome her circumstances to become a successful adult?
What was her driving force that helped her to become such a successful adult? -
#53
Does she really think that she's as okay as she makes herself seem? Or is this just a front she puts on?
What do her siblings really think about their past? -
#54
I understand how Jeanett Walls may of felt ashamed about how she grew up because i went through hard times when i was younger.
What are some of the things that she did to become successful in her life?
Why is she so ashamed of seeing her mom? -
#55
Prior to my Child Psych. Class I had read The Glass Castle. I decided to re read the book to refresh my memory. The same thoughts came to mind the second time.
What kind of negative feedback has been given to Jeannette Walls for her true testament of her life?
How does she deal with the feedback?? Positive or Negative?
I see that she still has a sense of humor but.... how can she deal with life on a daily basis knowing her story has made so many people question her ability to be a parent and then go about her daily life like a "normal" human being??? -
#56
In reference to my previous Blog, I realize that Jeannette is not the mother, I worded it incorrectly. She continues to have a sense of humor and use her experiences to educate others through her misfortunes. She still strives to be a "normal human being" because of the lasting effects her childhood has on her.
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#57
This book was amazing to read: Jeanette Walls was an amazing character. She went through so much in her childhood and had to face more than any child should have to. She did not let her parent's actions affect the person that she was going to become. Some of the questions that came to mind when I read the book were: what happened differently in Jeanette's life that allowed her to be so strong? How did she survive without any therapy whatsoever? Since I am majoring in elementary education, this really made me think about the different children I am going to come in contact with. They are all going to come from different backgrounds, and you can not judge someone for the background they come from. Sometimes you may have to study someone's background to understand why they maybe acting a certain way, but it is not what defines them.
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#58
After watching the videos, I was at a loss for words. It was amazing to see how young children could be so mature. Some questions I would ask the author would be: How could Jeanette not be bitter towards her parents? and how did she make it without any therapy or adult figures in her life?
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#59
I've read some of the book, and by watching these video's....the author seems so comfortable about talking about her childhood like it didn't damage her as a person.
My questions are:
How did you change your thoughts of your childhood from bad to good? and why did you accept the things that happened?
How did it make you feel when you were wrong about the reaction from your friends and co-workers?
Why did you think that you didnt need therapy?
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#60
Jeanette Walls is an extremely interesting character. I really don't understand how a person can go through so much and come out "normal". Being normal can not be defined. I think there is something about jeanette Walls that is not normal to make her think that she could live that sort of life and say that she came out to be a healthy adult.
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