Key Events
What job does Jeannette get to help support herself and her family?
working at the school newspaper?
Which parent says, “Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy”?
Rose Mary
What does the Glass Castle symbolize?
Rex’s dream of a better future
What makes Jeannette and Lori more determined to leave Welch?
Rex stealing their money
What point of view is The Glass Castle written in?
first-person
Who does Jeannette want to help escape Welch?
Lori
Who keeps telling Jeannette they will build the Glass Castle?
Rex Walls
What does food (or lack of food) represent for the Walls children?
neglect and survival
What conflict grows between Jeannette and her father?
her losing trust in him
What is the tone of Jeannette’s narration in this section?
honest and a little sad
What does Jeannette and Lori save money for?
buying a bus ticket for Lori to move to New York?
Who says they won’t sell their land even though the family needs money?
Rose Mary
What does New York symbolize for Jeannette and Lori?
freedom and opportunity
What does Jeannette realize about her mother’s land?
her mom could sell it to help the family but refuses
What type of writing is The Glass Castle?
a memoir
What happens to the money Jeannette and Lori saved?
Rex steals it
Who teaches Jeannette how to swim by letting her sink or swim?
Rex Walls
What does Rex stealing the money show about his character?
his addiction and selfishness hurt his children
Why does Jeannette work so hard in this section?
to save money to escape to New York
How does Jeannette show how her feelings about her parents are changing?
showing her frustration and losing faith in their promises
What city does Lori want to move to?
New York City
Which character starts to lose hope in Rex’s promises in this section?
Jeannette
Why is Lori leaving Welch such an important symbol?
it shows that escape is possible
Who does Jeannette begin to rely on more than her parents?
herself (and her siblings)
What is one example of irony in this section?
Rex saying he will build the Glass Castle while destroying the family’s savings