The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls: Student Packet, Exercises of English Literature

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The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls

Student Packet

Name

Class!!

Characters

Near each character’s name, write adjectives that describe this character,

his or her personality, and his or her actions. Then, connect characters

with a line. On the line, describe their relationship.

Jeannette

Walls

Rex Walls

Rose Mary

Walls

Brian Walls

Maureen

Walls

Lori Walls

Which character from The Glass Castle are you most like? Explain with specific examples from the

text and your own life.

1. Are the characters in conflict with the setting? What do the characters want? !Does the setting keep them from getting what they want?
2. What does the setting tell us about the characters? How do the characters respond to the setting?
3. How would you describe the atmosphere or mood created by the setting? What are some specific words or phrases that indicate this mood?
4. Does the setting connect to a main theme?

Vocabulary

Some of the vocabulary words in this story might be confusing; some words

are hard, some words are slang, and some words are just unusual! Write

out the definitions to the following words; then record words you find

troublesome or interesting and the words your teacher points out on the

lines below.

Word Definition

Tutu (9)

Gestapo (19)

Flapper (20)

Banshee (20)

Pigeonholed ( 38 )

Sonar (42)

Blasphemy (42)

Bluffer (54)

Ergo (54)

Mediocre (54)

Encrustations (65)

Felonious (111)

Qualms (112)

Onyx (113)

Delirium (117)

Strata (118)

Channeling (133)

Ivy League (258)

Gaunt (260)

Cosmos (261)

Auxiliary (262)

Charismatic (268)

Caprice (273)

Kabuki (274)

Nonchalant (274)

Adversity (275)

Rotgut (277)

Magnum (278)

Chaos (279)

Fedora (285)

Ribbing (286)

Recriminations (288)

Double-Entry Journal

On the left hand side, you will write quotations key to The Glass Castle. On the

right, you will respond to these quotations. Be sure to explain the context of the

quotation, why this quotation is significant, and how the author lets you know

this is a key part of the text (literary devices, techniques, etc.). One has been

done for you. When you run out of room on this page, add additional notebook

paper as needed.

Quotation Analysis

“’You see?’ she said. ‘Right

there. That’s exactly what I’m

saying. You’re way too easily

embarrassed. Your father and

I are who we are. Accept it.’”

Jeannette tells her mother that she is worried

about her because Rose Mary Walls had been

digging through a dumpster. Jeannette’s mother

responds by saying it is Jeannette is the one

who has problems. This shows the clear

disconnect between the two women and suggests

they clearly do not see things the same way.

Rose Mary’s blunt style of speaking makes it

seem like she is totally correct and sure of

herself. The reader might wonder why she

would think her daughter, a successful, rich

author, is the one who needs help.

“The Desert”

1. Discuss the contrast between Jeannette’s life in the trailer and her life at the hospital. Which does she prefer, and why? Include evidence from the text and your own analysis to support your claim.
2. How does Rex Walls’s alcoholism impact the family? Go beyond the basic response and give a deep analysis of how his behavior/attitude/language/lack of stability impacts his wife, children, pets, and extended family.
3. Some might consider the Rose Mary and Rex to be good parents; others would absolutely disagree. Others might not view this as a black and white issue. What do you think? Why? Include details from the text to support your analysis of their parenting.

4. About Battle Mountain, Jeannette says, “…I considered it home—the first real home I could remember” (81). Why did she feel this way about Battle Mountain of all places?
5. Discuss the move to Phoenix– what event led to them moving there (it involved Jeannette), how did the get there, what was life like in Phoenix?
6. What is unusual about Maureen, as described in this section of the text?

“Welch”

1. In the beginning of “Welch,” what foreshadowing clues indicate life there will be more difficult for the family?
2. Describe how Erma’s racist tirades and the molestation allegations spur the Walls children to change from passive observers to active participants in their lives and futures.
3. Evaluate how the symbolism surrounding the “Glass Castle” changes; consider how the children feel about the “Glass Castle” in “The Desert,” and how their reactions change once in “Welch.”

4. Describe why Jeanette Bivens is such key figure in both Jeannette and Rex’s lives. Also, how does newspaper and her role on the paper positively impact Jeannette?
5. Analyze ways Rose Mary and Rex passively attempt to keep Lori and Jeannette from leaving Welch. How do the children overcome these obstacles?
6. How does Jeannette make sure Brian will be taken care of when she leaves for New York City?
7. Analyze the conversation between Rex and Jeannette about the “Glass Castle” before she leaves for New York. What does this tell you about their relationship? Explain.

“New York City”

1. How accurate was your prediction about Jeannette in New York City? Did things go the way you expected them to go? Explain with specific predictions and details from the text.
2. Describe and explain how the entire family becomes reunited in New York City.
3. Describe the ways Jeannette denies or attempts to hide her past while in New York City.
4. What chance does Rex have to start a new life? Explain what he does with this opportunity.

5. Evaluate ways Rex attempted to “do right by Jeannette” during his time in New York. In your opinion, does this make up for how he acted in the past? Explain.
6. What does the reader learn about Rose Mary’s land? Predict how this knowledge could have changed the Walls’s lives in Welch and even in their homes in “The Desert.”
7. Describe what Lori, Jeannette, Brian, and Maureen are like as grown-ups. Explain and analyze how their pasts impacted their futures. Include specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

“Thanksgiving”

1. How satisfied are you with the ending of the memoir? Explain.
2. Consider what Thanksgiving symbolizes and analyze how that symbols relates to Jeannette’s life at this point.
3. What references in this section do you see to previously mentioned incidents, motifs, symbols, incidents, etc.? Why does the author include the references, in your opinion?
4. In the end, evaluate Rose Mary and Rex as parents. Explain why you feel the way you do, how your thoughts have changed, and what has caused those changes. If there are no changes in your thinking, explain what would have to happen to change your mind.

Quick-End Reflection

Reading Reactions – complete these to form complete sentences (remember punctuation!)

1. I think this novel is because

2. The novel made me think about because

3. If it were me, I’d because

4. The ending made me feel because

5. Something I don’t understand is because

6. I liked because

7. I didn’t like because

8. In my mind, the looked like:

9. I wish the author because

10. I’d rate this novel a out of 10 (10 = best) because