The Bean Trees Discussion 2
The book the Bean Trees resembles a quote written by Ivy Baker Priest:
“The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end, may also be the beginning.”
Chapters 4-8 resemble this quote because it is characterizing Turtle. She has gone through many tough times and has been abused before that she might’ve begun o think that her life was drawing to an end. But when she finds Taylor (or is handed to her) she gets a new meaning in her life. Signifying that she is going to have a whole new begging and do her best to try and forget her past. Taylor has given Turtle a new meaning and Turtle gives joy and happiness to Taylor. They are both having an experience in their lives that they have never faced before; Turtle has a reason to live, for herself Taylor. Even though Taylor may not realize it she has given Turtle a happiness from which she was deprived of.
Do you think that Taylor is the reason Turtle can finally have a normal life like a regular child? Has Taylor given Turtle happiness by accepting her or do you think that they will have to put up with tough times for each other?
-Kianat Zamir
Category: Per 3 TBT Con 4 comments »
February 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Kianat, that quote is very interesting. Where did you find it. I like it.
To answer your first question, I must say that I believe Kingsolver never really means for Turtle to be like a normal child. Her situation in which she was passed to Taylor is completely unique, which raises the question whether or not Kingsolver was setting Turtle up to be different. Her life will be unique and Taylor taking care of her will have a strong influence on her upbringing and thus her ‘normal’ life. There is no true identification as to what a ‘normal’ life is. It can mean anything from taking drugs to slightly high maintenance normality. Those are only possible extremities, but my explaination in full is that, based on Taylor’s ‘normal’ life, I would say that yes, Taylor is Turtle’s ticket to growing up as a regular child.
To answer the second and final question, I personally think that both answers are distinctly possible. In fact I think it is very likely that both instances will occur. Taylor and Turtle will be happy together and get along well, but their personalities (from what I’ve seen of Turtle’s anyway)are too different to not clash at least once in a while. It will be a normal mother daughter relationship.
There you go!
-Jenni Kantor
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Yes, I think that Taylor is the reason that Turtle has a normal childhood. If Taylor wasn’t there at the restaurant, then Turtle might have and probably would have died.
They will probably have trouble in spots. Turtle is quiet and Taylor is social and likes to talk. Also, they don’t have a lot of money, so that will be a problem. But Taylor has given Turtle happiness by being a parent for her. However, Turtle is very young, so it’s not as easy as it would be if Turtle was older and was able to do things.
I think your quote describes Turtle very well. She almost died, which was like the end, and then Taylor rescued her and her life was saved.
-Brandon Greer
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I think that her life is far from normal. How many people do you know that were dropped off and given to someone else to raise? How many people do you know that have had sexual abuse before they could walk? I think that she will strugle in life, no matter who raises her. I also think that Taylor will do a very good job at making her feel like she is welcome in her life. Taylor will make it as easy as possible to grow up with her. One say she will have to understand where she came from and realize that all her friends are not the same as her. Hopefully she can also see that she has a great opportunity in the fact that Taylor will raise her no matter what, and won’t just give her away. I think that there will be plenty of tough times, just as any other mother would have with their daughter. In the end, there will be more happiness if Turtle can recognize what a good situation she is in.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Dan, you make a good point about Turtle having a far from normal life, that she was maltreated beyond her will. It’s no doubt that Turtle will have struggles throughout her life but I think that with the help of Taylor, she will be able to overcome them. I know that once Turtle gets older she will ask about where she came from, who she is, etc… but we are making a prediction about her future, hopefully she will understand that with whom she was raised gave her a better life than that of which she was encompassing.
Glad you like the quote Jenni and Brandon, thanks for the interpreting a meaning of the quote!