1. Money and Values: On one hand, Jeannette Walls describes
the squalor she and her family lived in: hunger, poverty, garbage, lack
of basic necessities. On the other hand, she describes the rich
intellectual world her parents imparted: discussions of geology, math,
literature, art. In light of the fact that three out of the four Walls
children became successful, productive members of society, what do you
think is more important to children’s development: comfortable living
conditions or an enriching intellectual environment?
2. Advisement/counseling/parental roles: Rose Mary tells Jeannette, “Life is full of tragedy and comedy…You should learn to enjoy the
comic episodes a little more” (129). What other good pieces of advice do
Rose Mary and Rex give their children? In what ways are Rose Mary and Rex good advisors/counselors to their children?
3. Personal relationships/health: The children seem to
learn something important about their father’s alcoholism and dysfunctional
behavior after her learns about Brian’s episode with Erma (145-148). What is that insight? How can this understanding of Rex make us more sympathetic to him? Does it, however, justify some of his adult choices?
4. Health: While they are still in Arizona, Rex attempts to stop
drinking (116-121). Why does he try to do this? What insights do we, as
readers, gain from his battle with alcoholism?
5. Ethics/Purpose: Throughout the book we hear Rose Mary’s
complaint: “I’m a grown woman now, why can’t I do what I want to do? (74). At what point in their lives can adults do whatever they want?
6. Finances: Walls states, “neither Mom nor Dad ever mastered the art of budgeting. But Mom’s salary created a whole new set of problems. While Dad liked it that Mom was bringing home a paycheck, he saw
himself as the head of the household, and he maintained that the money should
be turned over to him. It was his responsibility, he’d say, to handle the
family finances” (76). What does this suggest about the connections between
traditional gender roles and money management? How prevalent are these roles
in today’s society? What are your current attitudes and beliefs about gender
roles and money? Where do they come from?