The Bean Trees
In The Bean Trees, written by Barbara Kingsolver, one of the main themes is the role of the ‘family.’ Although none of the “families” in the book are actually family, they consider each other family. There is not the traditional family, which consists of a mother, father, and children all living together. In a traditional family the father must be the provider for the family. The mother must be the caregiver, taking care of the house and nurturing the children. The children are expected to obey their parents and succeed in school. In The Bean Trees, this idea of a traditional family does not exist. The so-called families in this book are opposite of a conventional family. Kingsolver asks the readers to rethink this conventional idea of a family by suggesting perfect families exist less and less so women must be able to have different versions of family.
Alice Greer is the first single mother introduced in the book. She is a strong, loving, and happy woman. Greer is Taylor’s mom. She is very supporting of Taylor, constantly telling her she is wonderful, smart, and will succeed, which evidently allows Taylor to fulfill all of this. Alice’s attitude and supportiveness allows Taylor to not grieve the absence of a father and makes her feel lucky to have just her mother.
Taylor becomes an instant mother after venturing out in the world when a child is left on her car seat. The child is of a different racial makeup and background than her own. The child’s name is Turtle and together they form a family. Mattie, Taylor, and Turtle for a special relationship. Taylor and Mattie first meet when Taylor has a flat tire and at Jesus Is Lord Used Tires Mattie offers to help her. After this, their relationship grew and eventually Mattie becomes like a mother figure to Taylor and has a great impact and role in their lives.
Lou Ann has a more conventional definition of family. She and her ex-husband temporarily move in to fool...
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