Bean Trees 1

This book, although is not my favorite book is decent, and extremely strong in its depiction of the plot. From the beginning, pregnancy, and motherhood, and the burdens of being a woman are evident everywhere. Lou Ann had a child, Turtle becomes Taylor's child, everyone at Taylor's school drops out because they are pregnant. I also find the comments Taylor's comments about men extremely foretelling, as they portray her view of men and also the universal view of men for women living during this time. The title is also mentioned a few times in the first half of the book. The first time it is mentioned, when Taylor is informing Mattie of her occupational talents including picking bugs off ben trees. She said that this moment when talking to Mattie was the beginning of things she couldn't believe. It is also mentioned because Turtle's first word is bean. This becomes one of the first and only things so far that Taylor can use to connect with Turtle. In addition, it parallels the women in society because if they are cared for then they will grow into plants, but if not then they are doomed. All of the women that Taylor surrounds herself with are strong women (Mattie owns her own business, Lou Ann is a single mother, Taylor has a strong personality, and Esperanza although may seem shy and timid can always connect with people). The presence of men on the other hand is usually depicted in a negative sense. When Angel comes back to pack up his stuff, Lou Ann says, "He could be there, or not, and it hardly made any difference, " (65). In addition, Taylor says about men, "I don't think there's an installation out there that could use all of my parts, " (92). Both of these quotes show these women's willingness and ability to be stronger than and rise above men. Also, Taylor is upset at Lou Ann because she feels as if the rut they find themselves in is one of a family, which she does not want. Instead, Taylor seeks to create her own life. The language is not particularly engrossing, but it is unique in the fact that it incorporates many corny and off- kilter expressions and also uses metaphors. It is obvious that Taylor is an iconoclast and uses southern language when she narrates. In addition, the relationship between Taylor and Lou Ann is extremely unique. This is because at the time it was not normal for two single mothers to be living together. They share the burdens that they each encounter as women, but they are amazing because they can support themselves and share an extremely strong bond. Another underlying theme may be the brutalities faced by illegal immigrants. Although it is not that prominent in the first half of the novel, its' presence becomes more and more constant as Mattie houses them in her house and I believe that Esperanza and her husband are illegals from Guatemala as they lie about their names at Lou Ann's dinner party. The women are also racist and do not respect the Indian or other races' presence in America. In a sense, Turtle and Taylor are alike because Taylor's new name erased her new identity and Turtle does not have an identity. Also they are both "The one[s] to get away," which is the name of the first chapter. The fact that Turtle was sexually abused even though she was so young, reinforces Taylor's perception of the mistreatment and oppression of women at all ages (they can all relate to one another).