After years of "skeddadling" and roaming nomadically in the western U.S., Rose Mary decides to migrate to Welch. At first when Rose Mary suggests that the family move to Welch, Rex is reluctant, and tells her that he won't join them if they go. This doesn't stop Rose Mary, who is packing the car and bringing the children when Rex finally agrees to come.
When they arrive, the Walls family stays at Rex's parents' home. Jeannette and her siblings finally meet their grandmother (who doesn't like to be called Grandma because it makes her sound old, and goes by Erma), their grandfather, and their Uncle Stanley. Everyone soon realizes that Erma is an awful lady; she doesn't like the kids laughing in the house, she gets intoxicated all the time, she sexually abuses Brian, fights Lori, and forces the children to stay in the basement for a long time while their parents are away. Their grandfather mostly keeps to himself, but their Uncle Stanley also isn't the best person on the planet; although he seems like a loving person, he sexually assaults her on one occasion. Reading about Rex's family made me realize that he wasn't the best person probably because of his difficult childhood and home life.
Soon after, the Walls family decides to buy their own house - 93 Little Hobart Street. The house is run-down and cheap, but they buy it anyway, and they live there for a long time. When it rains, water leaks from the ceilings all throughout the house, and the kids have to wear rags on their hands when they walk into the kitchen, because they could get electrocuted by faulty wiring.
Reading about all of the hardships Jeannette Walls faced as a child is quite sad. People never really hear much about poverty in America, and although it's not quite like poverty in other countries, it's definitely a problem. I've never really thought honestly about how lucky I am to be where I am and with the people I am, until reading The Glass Castle.
No comments:
Post a Comment