Final answer:
In 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls, Jeannette sees her mother searching through a trash can from a taxi, illustrating a pivotal moment in confronting her past.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the memoir The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Jeannette sees her mother, Rose Mary, searching through a trash can while Jeannette is in a taxi.
This encounter is especially poignant because it starkly depicts the contrast between Jeannette's current life, which has a semblance of stability and success, and her poverty-stricken past where scavenging for food was a norm for her family. This moment is a significant turning point for Jeannette as it forces her to confront her feelings of shame, embarrassment, and familial responsibility.