"The Glass Castle" is a memoir written by Jeannette Walls, detailing her unconventional and often tumultuous childhood. The book explores her complex relationship with her parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls. Rex, her father, is depicted as an intelligent but erratic and often irresponsible man, with dreams of building a magnificent glass castle for his family. Rose Mary, her mother, is an artist who struggles with the responsibilities of motherhood and maintaining stability.
In my opinion, Jeannette's parents are portrayed as flawed individuals who are both fascinating and frustrating. Rex's charisma and intelligence are offset by his alcoholism and inability to provide a stable home for his family. Rose Mary's artistic passion is hindered by her apparent neglect of her children's basic needs. Despite their shortcomings, there's a complexity to their characters that evokes empathy. Rex, in particular, is depicted as a person with potential who is unable to overcome his personal demons. The Walls' unconventional lifestyle and parenting choices make them intriguing but also raise questions about the boundaries between individual freedom and parental responsibility.