Jeannette Walls opens her memoir, The Glass Castle, with a story of her childhood in which she is cooking hot dogs on a stove and her dress catches on fire. This story sets the stage for the rest of the book in several ways. Firstly, the story immediately introduces the reader to the chaotic and dangerous environment in which Jeannette grew up. Her parents were neglectful and often put their children in harm's way, as evidenced by the fact that Jeannette was left alone to cook hot dogs at a young age. Secondly, the story highlights Jeannette's resilience and resourcefulness. Despite the fact that her dress is on fire, she remains calm and figures out how to put out the flames. This is a theme that runs throughout the book, as Jeannette and