Character Analysis: The Bean Trees By Barbara Kingsolver

Unexpected family is hard and even harder when you have many unanswered questions on how it happened. Even through these troubles, unusual relationships bloom and can continue throughout one another's life. In the book, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, Taylor and Turtle's mother and daughter dynamic shows how love comes in unexpected ways. As they grow together, Taylor will continue to prove how she takes good care of Turtle and is a great mother. Taylor is protective of Turtle and defends her in ways that a mother would be. She takes her role of mother seriously, even when she didn't have time to process that she was going to be a mother. Her fast abilities to adjust to situations and not freak out while continuing in her journey of raising

Showing that in unexpected situations, Taylor will continue to show love for Turtle. Taylor hints she's “…unfamiliar with the back seat of a Chevrolet”(3), being un-pregnant for long, and not planning on giving any anytime soon. Taking in a child requires much time and care, and Taylor feels like she isn’t capable enough, nor does she want to be bothered with the responsibility. However, being raised by a mother who always puts her children first, Taylor’s maternal instinct enables her to see clearly through the uncertainty that she has created. Finally, after months of growing into a mother, Taylor accepts the responsibilities by telling Turtle that: “From here on in I’m your Ma, and that means I love you the most. Forever.” (239). Taylor’s full acceptance of Turtle constitutes the end of her journey, one that through many sacrifices has made Taylor a real mother. Taylor’s personality translates into growth throughout the book and will continue for Turtle as she grows up, proving caringness and protectiveness. Both of which are important traits for her motherly

However, as Taylor is a young growing woman, It would be ridiculous to base her role as a mother on what she said as she was trying to find herself, much alone without a child. The last thing Taylor Greer wants is to have a child, and by an ironic twist of fate, she is left with one, shortly after seemingly escaping that destiny. (3) People may state their feelings on having a child without wanting one and though that may be true, love can come unexpectedly without warnings. Taylor may have meant what she said about not wanting children, but then again it was before she even laid eyes on Turtle. As she decides to go on one last journey, to find Turtle’s real parents. (183). All though Taylor began as someone who didn't want children, as she and Turtle became closer she found herself sacrificing their relationship in order to find Turtle's real parents. It truly shows how Taylor is willinging to do anything for Turtle even if she herself gets hurt. That truly shows how she loves Turtle and how Taylor is able to battle through her own moral decisions and battles. Through Taylor’s character it becomes evident that a woman must make significant sacrifices in order to find her identity as a competent, unselfish