Student sample----what worked?

       In pages 3-5 of the memoir The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, the character of "Mom" is described as someone who is not living a traditional life and is happy about it. This is seen in her actions at the dumpster but also in her reaction to her daughter Jeannette’s concerns. One example of this is when the author tells us Mom’s, “eyes widened with childish glee” as she finds things she deems valuable in the trash (Walls 3). Despite the fact that her eyes are described as “sunk deep in their sockets” the reader can tell that she is much more than a typical homeless person.

       This creates a contrast between the attitudes of the author and her mother. We can tell that Jeannette does not only disapprove of her mother’s lifestyle, but also doesn’t understand it. This builds tension between the two because we can tell that this has been a continual argument between them; mom stresses her out and embarrasses her as she “slid down” in her seat to avoid confronting her. Mom doesn’t seem surprised when Jeannette confronts her about this replying that her daughter is “too easily embarrassed” and that her values are “all confused” (Walls 5).

Read pages 9-14

Finish study guide #1-10.

For homework: read pages 15-25--you will be expected to know what happened in this section tomorrow.  ******Answer questions 11-15.********