This thesis deals with the generational shift and the question of the American Dream in the novels of Jeannette Walls. One extraordinary book by this American author is the "Glass Castle: A Memoir". This autobiography reveals shocking details of her childhood. The reader cannot believe that parents of four children are that inconsiderate to follow their own interests and neglect the little ones disregarding their basic needs like nourishment, a warm and clean shelter and the possibility of regular school attendance. For several years the family is of no fixed abode and roams through many American states. The children often go hungry and at school their mates mock them because of their worn-out clothes.
When the novel "Half Broke Horses" was published the reader might have hoped to get to know more about the family’s background and Jeannette’s mother Rose Mary who often treats her children heartlessly and acts selfishly. This novel is concerned with Lily, Jeannette’s grandmother. The reader learns a lot about her upbringing and her strict way of educating Rose Mary. Both novels, covering at least sixty years, also reflect the American history and values of that time.
The thesis, therefore, examines in how far one can speak of a generational shift regarding the women of the families and their role models. As all members of the family strive to reach their personal goals in life it also wants to find out which components of the American Dream are relevant to them and what they can realize.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Jeannette Walls and her family saga in consideration of the American Dream
2.1 The American Dream: A Short Historical Background
2.2 Jeannette Walls- a brief biography
2.3 “Half Broke Horses”
2.4 “The Glass Castle: A Memoir”
3. The development of Lily Casey’s character
3.1 Her childhood and her parents’ influence on her education
3.2 Lily on her way to be an early feminist
3.3 Lily’s marriage to Jim
3.4 Lily - a possible role model for other women
3.5 The relationship between mother and daughter and the family
4. Rex and Rose Mary’s methods of education and values of life- their way of bringing up their four children in “The Glass Castle
4.1 The relationship between Rex and Rose Mary including their visions and hopes for the family
4.2 Symbols and metaphors in Rex’s and Rose Mary’s world
4.3 The parents’ attitude towards status, education and work
4.4 Jeannette’s preposterous childhood between weaponry, alcohol and unfulfilled wishes for freedom
4.5 “The Glass Castle” as a symbol of the American Dream
5. Conclusion
5.1 Generational shift concerning educational concepts of Lily, Rose Mary
and Jeannette
5.2 How the American Dream comes to reality in both novels
6. My personal comment
7. Bibliography
8. Appendix
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