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Demon Hunting
One night in Midland, Jeannette heard a noise slithering on the floor. She went to her Dad and said she saw something in the bedroom. Her dad described a demon to her and she agreed that that was what she saw. Rex and Jeannette grabbed weapons and went demon hunting. They went all around the house and in the desert but it was gone. Jeannette learns an important lesson from her Dad. "Monsters love to frighten people, but the minute you stare them down, they turn tale and run." -
Star for Christmas
Rex let Jeannette pick out her favourite star as a Christmas present. Even though no one owned the stars she could claim one.
This event brought the two closer together. Jeannette learned a valuable lesson from her dad. "Years from now, when all the junk they got is broken and long forgotten, you'll still have your stars." This event will forever be a happy memory and everytime she looks at the sky she'll remember her dad. -
The Hot Pot
The Walls family went to a natural spring in the desert and Rex decided it was time for Jeannette to learn how to swim. Rex picked her up and threw her in the Hot Pot.
Jeannette didn't want anything to do with him. She swam away from him not towards him. She lost her trust in him. Although she hated her dad for what he did she learned a valuable lesson. "You can't cling to your side your whole life... If you don't want to sink you better learn how to swim." -
Trip to the Zoo
City life was getting to Rex and after he heard about the incident with the mountain lion he told all the kids to get in the car. They were going to the zoo . Rex took them to stare down the alligator and then went to the cheetah pen. They gathered around the cheetah pen and when Rex started petting the cheetah he let Jeannette. The cheetah licked her palm. This event was a bonding moment between Jeannette and Rex. She was proud that she pet a cheetah and no one else has. -
Brian's Incident
When the parents leave for Phoenix, Erma sexually assaults Brian. The kids defend each other, and sent to the basement. When Rex comes home he is furious. Dad's refusal to take the kids' side when he returns from Phoenix not only strengthens the siblings' bonds but provides insight into Rex. As Jeannette contemplates the possibility that Erma also abused Dad, she begins to understand why Dad acts like he does: why he drinks; why he refused to return to Welch; why he refuses to take their side. -
Jeannette's 10th Birthday Promise
For Jeannette's 10th birthday she asked her dad to stop drinking. He was sober for 6 months and took the family to the Grand Canyon. On their way the car broke down and they started walking back to Phoenix. A lady picked them up and drove them home. She kept mentioning the word poor. For Rex this hurt his ego and portrayed the image of poor. He went drinking for 3 days.
Jeannette thought since it was a present to her, he'd never go back, but he broke his promise and she lost faith in him. -
Rex Whipping Jeannette
Jeannette and her mom got into an argument and Jeannette talked back. Rosemary told on her to Rex. In the kitchen, Rex forced Jeannette to apologize to her mom and dad. When she didn't apologize Rex grabbed his belt and whipped her.
Jeannette figured that her dad was in a tougher spot because if he whipped her, he would lose her forever. Jeannette decided then that she needed to get out of Welch, the sooner the better. This event tore the two apart for good because he sided with Rosemary. -
Rex Takes Jeannette to the Bar
All summer Rex asked for money and he got it. Rex wanted Jeannette to accompany him to the bar to scam a guy for money. After Rex had taken $80 from Robbie he allowed him to take Jeannette upstairs. Robbie pressed against her and started kissing her.
Rex said to holler if she needed anything, but Jeannette didn't want to. She was so angry at her Dad that she couldn't bear the idea of him rescuing her. She learned that she had to protect herself and no one else could do it for her. -
Blueprints for the Glass Castle
All her life Jeannette believed in Rex to build the Glass Castle. Jeannette cannot help but believe in Rex's plan because as a child she sees Rex as a hero. Jeannette’s belief in the Glass Castle and her faith in her father disappear when the family starts dumping garbage in the hole meant for the foundation. As time passes and Rex drinks even more, the Glass Castle turns into a symbol of impossible dreams. When Jeannette is 17 she doesn't believe her Dad can build the Glass Castle and leaves. -
Paying Tuition
Rex is still a loving parent. He insists on reading everything Jeannette is studying for college and raves about his daughter to everyone he meets. Rex gets a chance to provide for Jeannette when she confesses she is a $1000 short of her tuition costs. Rex is able to scrounge up money for her tuition. Through these moments, we see the complexity of Jeannette's struggle to come to peace with her parents: As soon as she wants to give up on them, they do something redeeming. She loves her Dad.
