In section one, “A Woman on the Street,” of Glass Castle, there are many universal themes that are represented by the author and main character, Jeannette Walls, when she gives the reader a peek at what has happened in her future life. One of the most distinct themes in this brief section is revealed when Jeannette is overcome with panic that her mother might see her after spotting her through the taxi window. Typically one would act excited to see their mother, but clearly Jeannette is embarrassed of her poor mother digging through trash cans in the streets. This gives the reader a feeling that Jeannette’s parents are so eccentric that they cannot be loved by their own daughter. Furthermore another theme can be seen when Jeannette’s mother