Mr_Shank

Okay, so this is our last entry on The Bean Trees. It should cover Chapters 14-17, finishing the book. The entry next week is the first entry on Dracula by Bram Stoker. Any edition should be pretty similar. I have the Puffin Classics edition.

Anyway, I found this quote which I think relates to one of the most important themes in the book: family.

Family is just accident…. They don’t mean to get on your nerves.  They don’t even mean to be your family, they just are.

This quote relates to several different scenes in the book. Taylor never intended to meet LouAnn or Turtle or Esperanza and Estevan. It just happened. When Taylor first met LouAnn, they didn’t get along. Taylor wanted to act like her life was completely seperate from LouAnn’s. Taylor never intended to adopt Turtle, it just happened. Likewise, Estevan and Esperanza never tried to become as close to Taylor as they did. It was a lucky event.

What do you think of this quote? Do you think it connects to the story well. What other connections can you draw from it?

Shank, if you’re reading this, we’re reading Dracula. You already said it would work, and that’s what we’re reading, as you said Digital Fortress had no literary merit, even though it was a New York Times Bestseller.

-Brandon

The wisest quotes come from tee shirts. I actually read this quote on a shirt and did not believe it until just recently. My quote is:

“I am unique, just like everyone else.”

I find that this quote resembles mostly Turtle and her companions. Turtle is unique by herself, finding her own way with her own style. She holds herself this way through example, otherwise known as her fellow companions. All children learn through example and hers is Taylor, Lou Ann, and anyone else who interacts with her. After spending all of her time with Taylor, it does not suprise me that Turtle has her own way of doing things, just like her adoptive mother.

Who do you think this quote resembles the most? Does your opinion differ from mine? If so, why? If you agree with me, why? Can you think of anyone else who this quote resembles? I need feedback, people! Write back and tell of your opinions!

Thanks! That is my blog!

-Jenni Kantor

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