Bean Trees 2

I think that Lou Ann and Taylor are foil characters. This is because while they both go through the same things, such as raising a child while being a single mother, they are opposite in their demeanor. While Taylor is tough and does not worry too often, Lou ann is often a pushover and panics about the most insignificant things. In addition, while Taylor falls in love with Estevan, who was sweet, Lou Ann is in love with Angel, who treats her very poorly. Lou Ann and Angel's relationship therefore, is a more negative and typical depiction of men and women's relationship. This is because Lou Ann blindly follows Angel, despite his mistreatment of her (when he calls she says that she would have to move back in with her because he was her husband even though he didn't act like it. This is Also in the second half of the book however, it became clear that despite Taylor's facade that she puts on for herself, and everyone else, she is actually very naive. Taylor did not understand what Mattie meant when she said that sometimes illegal immigrants got there hurt, didn't realize Edna was blind, and also could not even comprehend the hardships that people such as Estevan had to endure. The plight of illegal immigrants becomes more dramatic and prominent in the second half of the story. Esperanza tries to kill herself, and Taylor finds out about the reasons that Estevan and Esperanza had to leave Guatemala. In addition, Taylor loses the two as friends, when they must flee Arizona in order to escape the U.S. government. This heartless depiction of the government towards illegal immigrants creates an anti- American vibe. The only good man in the story (Estevan) is also from Guatemala, and not the U.S. and also, the Americans are depicted as extremely unsympathetic. I think that in general, Lou Ann's character growth was the most drastic. This is because she begins to realize more the mistreatment of women and in the end is fine being alone. Taylor also, undergoes some changes, as she realizes that she doesn't always need to act tough. She also accepts the fact that Lou Ann and Dwayne Ray have become her family in an unconventional sense. Turtle's obsession with vegetables and green trees also becomes more important. The title comes into play on a magnificent day when Lou Ann, Dwayne Ray, Taylor, and Turtle are all playing in the park. Turtle observes the wisteria tree and says "Bean Trees" because this is what the tree will become. At the end of the book when Taylor and Turtle are looking through the Encyclopedia, they read that wisteria thrive in poor soil, and together with Rhizobia they make miracles. Because of this, I think that the Bean Trees symbolize miracles and happiness because both times that they were mentioned Taylor was content with herself and her daughter and her life.