!!!The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Student Packet

Name Class ! !

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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.

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Setting

Part Time Period Geographical Location(s)/Physical Location(s)

“A Woman on the Street”

“The Desert”

“Welch”

“New York City”

“Thanksgiving”

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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?

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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)

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Monochromatic (139)

Malicious (137)

Palatial (149)

Armoire (150)

Treadle (153)

Scuttle (160)

Catapult (166)

Goiters (172)

Genuflected (180)

Bituminous (193)

Conferred (203)

Inconspicuous (204)

Skewed (205)

Caryatid (208)

Retort (222)

Solicit (223)

Noblesse Oblige (225)

Deference (234)

Parquet (247)

Bodega (247)

Gadfly (248)

Rubes (252)

Dilapidated (253)

Vermin (258)

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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)

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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.’” (5)

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.

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“A Woman on the Street”

1. Consider the photograph (included in most editions The Glass Castle) of Jeannette’s parents on their wedding day. Why would the author want to include this photograph at the beginning of her memoir?

2. The pages before the memoir also include these lines from Dylan Thomas’s piece, “Poem on His Birthday”: Dark is a way and light is a place, Heaven that never was Nor will be ever is always true What is the significance of these lines, in your opinion?

3. Write a brief summary of this section. Include the key people, where the events occurred, and what the main action was.

4. At the end of the first section, Jeannette’s mom says, “’Just tell the truth…That’s simple enough.’” Is it that simple to tell the truth? Explain.

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“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.

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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?

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7. Were you surprised at the ending of this section? Explain your reaction.

8. Predict how the family will fare in Welch. Consider Rex’s reluctance to go, how the children are doing, and how Rose Mary reacts to her children’s needs.

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“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.”

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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.

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8. Predict how the Jeannette will fare in New York City. Consider where she has been and where

she is going – both literally and figuratively.

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“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.

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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.

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8. Analyze how the events following Maureen’s arrest may have influenced Jeannette to leave

Eric and change her life.

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“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.

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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

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One-Pager The Glass Castle

A “one-pager” is assigned to promote thoughtful appreciate and understanding of a novel. The more creative you allow yourself to be, the more you will get out of the reading assignment. One-pagers, when done well, also provide a terrific review that can inspire others to read your book. Use white, unlined computer paper. Include the following: On the front…

1. Title of novel and author’s name 2. A list of characters from the novel 3. A description of when and where the novel took place 4. 5 adjectives you would use to describe the novel 5. One important quotation (A sentence or two from the novel)

- Write the quotation in quotation marks - Include the page number - Next to the quotation, explain why this is significant (i.e. “This quotation

expresses…”) 6. At least 3 drawings, symbols, and/or images that represent aspects of the story

- Use color, be creative, be neat, and fill the page 7. One high level question that can be answered after you read the novel (if you are unsure

about what a “higher level” question is, see me!) - Answer the question next to where you wrote the question

On the back… 1. A one paragraph summary of the selection that includes details about the plot, setting,

characters, main ideas and conflicts, and the ending 2. Your name and class period

You will be graded with the rubric on the back ------------------------->

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The Glass Castle One-Pager

CATEGORY 5 3 1 0 Components One-pager includes all components:

- Title & author - Character list - Setting information - Adjectives - Quotation with page - Explanation of quotation - Higher level question - Answer to higher level question - 3 symbols/pictures - Summary on back - Name and class period

Missing 1 Missing 2 Missing 3 or more

Summary Summary gives many details about the plot, setting, characters, main ideas, the problem or problems the main character faced, and includes what happened at the end of the novel. Summary is virtually error free

Errors distract reader and/or components are missing

Errors distract reader and/or multiple components are missing

Summary is not present

Depth Student went into great depth when explaining the quotation, drawing symbols/pictures, and writing summary. *In depth means you have specific details, you go above and beyond when describing, and you convince me you read your novel and read it well*

Some depth Little depth No specific details given

Overall Appearance

Student clearly gave much effort to the overall appearance. One-pager is:

- neat - balanced - colorful - eye-appealing

Some effort Little effort No effort – final product is rushed and sloppy