The Glass Castle

What do you think was more important to the Wells children’s development: comfortable living conditions or an enriching intellectual environment?

On one hand Jeannette describes the squalor she and her family lived in: hunger, poverty, garbage, lack of basic necessities. On the other, she describes the rich intellectual world her parent imparted: discussions of geology, math, literature, art. In the light of the fact that three out of four of the Wall children became successful, productive members of society, what do you think was more important to the Walls children's development: comfortable living conditions or an enriching intellectual environment?

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From the text, we can infer that the Walls parents thought little of their children's physical and emotional needs. Their children are constantly hungry, put in dangerous situations, provided with inadequate shelter, and neglected. Mr. and Mrs. Walls prefer enrichment and adventure.... even if they have to make bad situations look as if they are actually excercises in enrichment and education.

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The Glass Castle