Hi everyone! I read The Bean Trees and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a feel good book about the struggles and miracles of everyday life.
A young woman named Taylor Greer tries to avoid becoming pregnant her entire life, and ends up with a little girl whom is just given to her. She names the girl Turtle because of her clingyness. Turtle's first word is 'bean' and the young child becomes fascinated by plants, vegetables, flowers, and also bean trees. She becomes extremely close to the earth, paying attention to each and every insignificant detail, playing with dirt and burying her dolls and items hoping they will grow into bean trees.
It is also said in the novel that bean trees are also called Wisteria Vine and they grow in places with very little resources to help them survive. Which reminded me of Taylor, she found a home, friends, hope, and the ability to grow into a stronger woman in what seemed like an empty place. At one point she watches outside and thinks to herself, "There was a cactus with bushy arms and a coat of yellow spines as thick as fur. A bird had built her nest in it. In and out she flew among the horrible spiny branches, never once hesitating. You just couldn't imagine how she'd made a home in there" (Greer 166). This reminded me of Taylor finding a home in empty places. The bean trees also relied on a bug that provided nutrients for the plant, which reminded me of the world. We all have to rely on eachother to help get things done. Without eachother, what are we really?
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5 comments:
Great job Leena, I agree. We do need each other to help get things done in this world. The Bean Trees sounds like a very interesting book!!! Why is the girl given to her (Taylor Greer)?
Well Turtle, the little girl, was given to Taylor because her original mother died. The little girl's aunt came up to Taylor in her car one night and put the girl in the front seat saying "Take her, please" We later find out that Turtle has been sexually and physically abused by her original guardians, so it's a good thing that she is with Taylor now!
I feel the same way, we spend so much time fighting eachother, and being at war. If we actaully stopped to help each other we might find that things can be alot easier with a few more helping hands. What was your favorite part in this book, leena?
My favorite part? That's really hard to say. There were so many parts that just touched my heart. Especially the part where Turtle is burying her doll and says "Mama"...
Leena, I definitely agree! No one can grow and live without another's help. I took two things out of this post. The first is that anyone can live in a horrible, choking place so long as they are loved. They can go on forever just as long as they keep a genuine attitude of gratitude! The second is that we all need to remember how much others need us too. Everyone needs somebody to say the first 'hello' at times. What was the best lesson you learned?
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