The Glass Castle

Family Loyalty vs. Self-Preservation: Jeannette Walls spends a lot of her life defending her parents' unconventional choices. At what point, if ever, do you think children are justified in breaking away from their parents' lifestyle? What does Jeannette's journey reveal about the conflict between family loyalty and personal well-being?

The "Glass Castle" as Symbol: Rex Walls often promises to build a "glass castle" for his family but never follows through. What does this symbol mean to different members of the Walls family? How does its significance change for Jeannette as she matures?

Resilience and Trauma: Jeannette and her siblings show remarkable resilience despite neglect and poverty. Do you believe resilience develops through hardship, or is it something inherent? Can resilience ever come at too high a cost?

Parental Responsibility: Rex and Rose Mary Walls prioritize their own freedom and ideals over their children's basic needs. How do you define good parenting? Do Rex and Rose Mary ever meet that definition, even in part?

Perspective and Memory: As a memoir, The Glass Castle is told entirely from Jeannette's viewpoint. How might the story differ if told from Rex's, Rose Mary's, or one of the siblings' perspectives? What does this remind us about the nature of memory and storytelling?

Poverty and Choice: The Walls family sometimes opts for poverty as a lifestyle rather than being forced into it. How does this complicate our understanding of poverty in America? Does it change your feelings about the family's struggles?

Forgiveness: By the end of the memoir, Jeannette appears to have reached a place of acceptance, if not full forgiveness, regarding her parents. Do you think forgiveness is essential for healing? Is it possible to love someone while also recognizing the harm they caused you?

Family Loyalty vs. Self-Preservation: Jeannette and her siblings show a strong loyalty to their parents despite enduring neglect and hardship. At what point, if ever, do you think children are justified in creating distance from their parents? How does Jeannette manage this struggle throughout the memoir?

Rex Walls as a Complex Figure: Rex Walls is charming, brilliant, and deeply destructive all at once. How does Walls depict her father — as a villain, a victim, or something more nuanced? What specific details from the text influence your perspective?

The "Glass Castle" as Symbol: The glass castle represents Rex's long-held dream of a home that never materializes. What does this symbol mean for each member of the Walls family? How does its significance evolve as Jeannette matures?

Poverty and Agency: The Walls family faces severe poverty, yet Rex and Rose Mary sometimes opt not to improve their situation. How does the memoir challenge our understanding of poverty — as something imposed or a choice? Does this difference change your feelings toward the parents?

Resilience and Its Cost: Jeannette often frames her childhood with a sense of resilience and even adventure. Do you think this perspective is empowering, a way to cope, or does it risk downplaying the harm she faced? How might another narrator have approached this story?

Truth and Memory in Memoir: The Glass Castle is a piece of creative nonfiction. How does Walls build credibility and trust as a narrator? Are there instances where you questioned her viewpoint or wondered what might have been omitted?

Family Loyalty vs. Self-Preservation: Jeannette Walls spends a significant part of her life defending her parents' unconventional choices. At what point, if at all, should loyalty to family take a backseat to one's own well-being? How does Jeannette handle this tension throughout the memoir?

Defining Neglect: Rex and Rose Mary Walls would claim they are raising their children to be resilient and independent thinkers. Do you agree or disagree with their parenting approach? Where do you draw the line between unconventional parenting and neglect?

The Glass Castle as Symbol: Rex's dream of building a glass castle never comes to fruition. What do you think the glass castle symbolizes — for Rex, for Jeannette, and for the family in general? How does its significance change throughout the memoir?

Resilience and Identity: How do Jeannette's childhood experiences shape who she becomes as an adult? Do you believe her upbringing was ultimately more damaging or more positively influential?

Forgiveness and Complexity: By the memoir's conclusion, Jeannette appears to have found a complicated peace with her parents. Is her forgiveness justified or unjustified? What does the memoir suggest about the nature of forgiveness within families?

Truth in Memoir: The Glass Castle is a memoir, which means it reflects one person's memories and perspective. How might the story change if told from Rex's or Rose Mary's viewpoint? What are the strengths and limitations of memoir as a way to tell this story?