Summary Of Motherhood And Family: Reoccurring Themes

Throughout the story, there are several reoccurring themes that play an impact on the story and the characters. One of them being, motherhood and family. The story surrounds Taylor as she takes on a new responsibility when an infant is given to her by an Indian woman. Taylor begins to quickly realise that she has no other choice other than to become “… the one responsible for her” (Kingsbury 121). “I’m not her real mother, but I’m taking care of her now. She’s not with her original family anymore.” (Kingsbury 121). Taylor has pronounced that she is now the one responsible for Turtle, who does not have a family anymore. Taylor recognizes that she has to be the one who will be a mother figure in Turtle’s life, she will be the one to love and

They are both going through equal struggles and hardships of caring for their children. However, they are able to help each other and grow to be the best mothers they can be. “…you’re never going to neglect him. You’ll never just sit around and let him dehydrate, or grow up without a personality… if anything, Lou Ann, you’re just too good of a mother.” (Kingsbury 156). Lou Ann is a character that is often very anxious, worrisome and even hopeless at times, she is very concerned with her abilities to be able to take care of Dwayne Ray. On the other hand, Taylor is someone who is brave and confident and she is able to guide and push Lou Ann to keep trying her best. Lou Ann loves Dwayne Ray way too much to neglect and oversee him, she wants to be able to provide the best for him. The theme of motherhood and family is seen best when Taylor officially becomes Turtle’s mother. “Here’s the big news, Turtle’s my real daughter. I adopted her.” (Kingsbury 223). When Turtle had first been left with Taylor, Taylor had not wanted anything to do with the baby. She was not prepared and even thought about leaving the baby at the

“The Bean Trees” follows new mothers and their journey to fight through the difficult world that they live in. Which can show several strong traits in the feminine characters. Taylor and her mother have a great relationship between each other and the story shows how sometimes it can be difficult for one to live without the other. “He treats me real good, but it’s happened so fast I don’t know what end of the hog to feed. I wish you were here to keep me straightened out.” (Kingsolver 109). Taylor’s mother found a man that she is potentially going to get married to, and she does not know where to turn, thinking that she might have even made the wrong decision. She wishes Taylor was there to keep her ‘in check’, Taylor’s strong character has an evident effect on her mother. It is difficult for her mother to live without Taylor, being the shoulder she can lean on when she needs help or even advice. Throughout the story, female characters often have to do jobs that are often considered to be “male” jobs since they have to live for themselves. “Mattie started up the machine, which made the front tires of Roger’s Toyota spin around, and after a minute she lay down on one shoulder and adjusted something under the front… I have never seen a woman with this kind of know-how. It made me feel proud…” (Kingsolver 43). Mattie is the owner of