Free Sample Essays > Literature
The Bean Trees
As a reader, Taylor, the protagonist of The Bean Trees is important in drawing my interest because she narrates much of the story and most of the ideas have been seen through her eyes and point of view. She undergoes major changes in her life and develops herself throughout the story, which enriches the novel. Taylor’s loves and cares for people also have a strong impact on other characters, which helps them develop and improve themselves. This affects the readers by drawing their attention into this novel and makes this remarkable book even more interesting.
Taylor born and raised in rural Kentucky. She left to escape a small life in her hometown and to avoid pregnancy. “Mama always said barefoot and pregnant was not my style.” Therefore she sets her goal: to get away and to avoid pregnancy. In the first chapter, Taylor allows us to understand women’s lives in her hometown, Pittman, Kentucky. “Believe me in those days the girls were dropping by the wayside like seeds off a poppy seed bun, and you learned to look at everyday as a prize.” This gives readers a great insight and quickly draws their attention into this novel.
Taylor begins the novel as Marietta or ‘Missy’ Greer and changes her name as she travels west. “The fist was I would get myself a new name. I wasn’t crazy about anything I have been called up to that point in life and this seemed like the time to make a clean break.” Taylor decides that she will drive until her car runs out of petrol, and take a new based on wherever her car stops. She ends up on Taylorville and changes her name from Marietta to Taylor. The change of her name gives her an encouragement to find herself and allows the readers to indicate her personality, which shapes the novel, at the same time. This immediately draws reader’s interest into the novel.
Taylor faces the biggest change in her life when an abandoned child, Turtle, is placed in her car as she stops in the old bars for a cup of coffee and a hamburger in the middle of Cherokee Nation in oklahoma. Although Taylor spent all her life avoiding pregnancy, she keeps Turtle with her. “If I wanted a baby I would have stayed in Kentucky. I could have had babies coming out of my ears by now.” Turtle eventually becomes Taylor’s new goal. She changes the way Taylor felt and thought towards motherhood. “I found my head rights, Mama. They’re coming with me.” Turtle gradually develops herself through Taylor’s influences and reveals her pasts continuously through Taylor’s love, care, and protection. This provides the interest to the readers and touches their hearts deeply.
As well as playing a huge role in Turtle’s life, Taylor’s relationship with Lou Ann Ruiz also affects Lou Ann life. Lou Ann’s husband, Angle, left her, leaving her with no confidence or self-esteem. Before she meets Taylor, Lou Ann has a negative self-image and always puts herself down. “ [next page]