The Bean Trees themes, symbols & characters
Answer two of the questions below with thorough and thoughtful comments.
1. How does Turtle symbolize Taylor's transformation?
2. If Taylor had not found Lou Ann would she have been better or worse? Explain with details from the story.
3. In chapter 9 "Ismene," after Estevan tells Taylor what Esperanza's life has been like, Taylor thinks there "was no way on earth I could explain what I felt, that my whole life had been running along on dumb luck and I hadn't even noticed." What does Taylor realize about her situation as compared to Estevan and Esperanza's?
4. What does the night-blooming cereus symbolize? If it is an omen or sign what does it foretell?
5. If Taylor had not inherited Turtle would she have had a better life? How has Turtle affected Taylor's life?
posted by dr. dalili @ 7:05 AM
14 Comments:
1. Turtle symbolizes Taylor in several ways throughout the book. One symbol is growth, Turtle has taught Taylor that she has to grow up and face reality. Even though things come unexpectedly, Taylor learns that she needs to mature for the sake of Taylor.
4. I think if Taylor had not inherited Turtle then her life would have been worse. Turtle has made Taylor realize a lot about maturity, growth, motherhood, love, and patience. If Turtle had not come into Taylor's life, it would have been a while until Taylor grew up and faced reality.
2. If Taylor had not found Lou Ann would she have been better or worse? Explain with details from the story.
I think Taylor benifited largely from Lou Ann. Not only did Lou Ann give Taylor a place to live but Lou Ann and Taylors became family. Taylor also learned a lot from Lou Ann she learned to be less judgemental and more accepting. Lou Ann gave Taylor someone whoshe could relate and talk to as they are both single mothers from kentucky.
3. In chapter 9 "Ismene," after Estevan tells Taylor what Esperanza's life has been like, Taylor thinks there "was no way on earth I could explain what I felt, that my whole life had been running along on dumb luck and I hadn't even noticed." What does Taylor realize about her situation as compared to Estevan and Esperanza's?
Taylor realizes how blind And ignorant she was to esperanza. This was a growing moment for Taylor Taylor had judged esperanze and Estevan blindly without knowing their story. Taylor just looked at them as illegal immigrants in a condecending way but then she realized how deep their story was. I think Taylor felt a lot of guilt at this moment. The qoute that doc brought up, " still waters run deep" fits perfectly in this situation. Esperanza went through a lot in her life way more then taylor could even imagine and I think it was a humbling expereince for her.
1. I believe that Turtle symbolizes Taylor's transformation through turtles actions herself. To elaborate, Turtle has evolved from a shy insecure child into an outgoing horticulturist. So Turtle has been responding to Taylors positive transformation by means of being more extrovert.
5. When Taylor first received Turtle she was a quiet and shy infant. Infact she seemed almost dead in Taylor's car. However when Taylor came into contact with other people like Mattie, Lou Ann, and Estevan, she became a more open three-year-old.
Taylor even learns that there was some abuse that occured beforehand. So Taylor definately changed Turtle's life for the better. In addition to Taylor helping Turtle, Turtle helped Taylor. She did this by helping Taylor realize she had to be a more self-concious and cautious person. Turtle reminded Taylor about things that were important and helped her through the hard times just by being there.
2)I think Taylor would have been worst if she had not found Lou Ann. She would have gotten rid of Turtle and never done some of the things that she did with Lou Ann. She would have been in her own little bubble and never opened to Estevan. For example, when she told Estevan how she felt. I don't believe that she would done that if she hadn't meet Lou Ann. Also, she would be a lonely little girl that doesn't really have anyone to talk to. Just riding around Arizona getting into trouble.
5) If Taylor had not found Turtle, Taylor would live a miserable life. First of all Taylor was alone and had nobody to look after or keep her occupied. Even though Turtle can't speak properly, she still is always having conversations with Taylor and being that person that Taylor has to watch for 24 hours a day. Turtle was so important to her.
Turtle would have grown up to be a shy little girl. When Taylor first got her Turtle didn't say a word. She just sat in the car and looked around and went to sleep. As they began to talk to one another, she opened up and became a good little girl who understood life better than most three year olds. She even talked to Mattie, Lou Ann and Esperanza. She really came out and showed the girl she can be. If Turtle didn't have Taylor, it wouldn't be good for her.
2. I think that if Taylor had not found Lou Ann she would have been worse. Lou Ann was the best thing (other than Turtle and Dwayne Ray of course) that happened to Taylor and vice versa. They became each other’s best friends and formed a family. Whenever Taylor needs someone to talk to, she just finds Lou Ann. If Taylor had not found Lou Ann, she would have had to find a place to live with someone else who would not have been as cool and perfect (for Taylor) as Lou Ann. Lou Ann in a sense taught Taylor to open up to the community and rely on others. She also taught her to be careful with anything smaller than a golf ball.
5. I do not know if Taylor would have had a better life if she had not inherited Turtle. There are many different sides of the argument. On one hand, Turtle brought out the motherly side in Taylor. Once Taylor got Turtle, she immediately got a job and looked for a place to live. Taylor experienced growing up with Turtle when she said her first word and just in general. Turtle taught her many things that Taylor would not have learned otherwise. However, Taylor was forced to grow up in a way she hadn’t been before. With Turtle, Taylor had to get a job and pay for many extra doctor visits, clothes, and necessities that she didn’t have to pay for before. She also didn’t have the stress of looking out for another human being. To say she would have been better off in life is a strong statement. I think that Turtle was good for Taylor, and Taylor’s life definitely would have been different without Turtle.
1. Turtle symbolized Taylor's transformation because it shows what Taylor has learned in the story. She's become a caring mother who will fight for her child. She went through a lot just to adopt Turtle. She has also gotten over her fear of being a single mother by taking in Turtle.
3. Taylor realizes that her life is very easy compared to Estevan's and Esperanza's. They are constantly in danger because they are immigrants. Taylor realizes that all her bad luck eventually turned into good luck (she blew out a tire, but found Mattie; an Indian woman gave her a baby that she would eventually love), but that was not the case for Estevan. Estevan and Esperanza were really out of luck, and Taylor sees that her troubles are insignificant compared to theirs.
2. If Taylor had not found Lou Ann would she have been better or worse? Explain with details from the story.
I think Taylor would have been worse because 1) she would be less caution and less aware of the dangers in life that could harm a little child. Even though Lou Ann is somewhat paranoid, I think Taylor takes away the right amount of precaution. Like when in the story Lou Ann is always worried about the little object that get in the way of the kids; I think that is beneficial for Taylor to know that kind of stuff and I don't think she would have became aware without Lou Ann.
5. If Taylor had not inherited Turtle would she have had a better life? How has Turtle affected Taylor's life?
If Taylor had not inherited Turtle she would not have had a better life. Her life would just be going on and on without purpose. Turtle gives purpose into Taylor's life. Turtle has taught Taylor many things including: love, responsibly, friendship, and compassion. In addition Turtle has shown Taylor what it feels like to be needed. Turtle depends on Taylor and I think this has greatly affected Taylor and her life as well.
1.If Taylor had not found Lou Ann, it would be for the worse. For example on p.184 Lou Ann says," I cannot believe you're just ready to roll over like this, Taylor. I thought I knew you. I thought we were best friends, but now i hardly know who in the heck you are." This shows that Lou Ann was there for Taylor when she needed to be set straight and reminded who she was. Taylor needed help raising Turtle and Lou Ann was always there to help and support her and Turtle. Also on p. 245 Lou Ann said to Taylor," So whats the point worrying yourslef sick about it. You'd just as well enjoy it while you've got it." Taylor replied," I guess you could say we're family." This shows that Lou Ann tought Taylor what it feels like to live with somone you love and look out fo eacother. Lou Ann tought her what family feels like and to cherish the fact that you are lucky enough to have such great riends/family that you love.
4. The night-blooming cereus symbolizes something good and special. On p. 196 Lou Ann said," It's a sign...I don't know...something good." This was the night before Taylor was driving Esevan and Esperanza to Oklahoma. This is when she discovered Cherokee Nation, officialy adopted Turtle, said a nice goodbye to estevan and realized how good her life was. The cereus only blooms one night a year. This symbolizes that since something so magical and special blooms on that one rare, specific night, then there must be something good about that time, something good. Also this symbolizes growth and how it took the Cereus plant a long time to finally grow, but when it did it was special.
1.I think that if Taylor had not found Lou Ann they both would have been dramatically different. Each of them have helped each other to grow and open up to different things in the world. Taylor became a great mother to Turtle because of help from Lou Ann and Lou Ann loosened up a bit with Dwayne Ray.
2. I think that if Taylor did not inherit Turtle that her life would be completely different. Turtle helped Taylor become mature and also helped her see that her life could ALWAYS be worse then she thought.
1. Usually the proof in transformation is in the result, which can be thought of as the child in a family. Towards the beginning of the story, Taylor only took care of Turtle because she had to, and also because her mother instilled values so that leaving Turtle would be against her own morals. As the novel continued, though, Taylor began to love Turtle and the affection she shared for her intensified. The fact that Turtle began to become much more interactive is proof itself that Taylor's new found mothering made her that way.
2. If Turtle had not found Lou Ann, I believe she would have been worse off. Even though it does not seem so at first, Lou Ann has been about as helpful to her as she has been to Lou Ann. Lou Ann taught Taylor that one should worry about life to an extent, because when people tend to live without any cares, they can find themselves in difficult situations. She also taught Taylor the value of friendship, and how family extends beyond blood relations.
1. Usually the proof in transformation is in the result, which can be thought of as the child in a family. Towards the beginning of the story, Taylor only took care of Turtle because she had to, and also because her mother instilled values so that leaving Turtle would be against her own morals. As the novel continued, though, Taylor began to love Turtle and the affection she shared for her intensified. The fact that Turtle began to become much more interactive is proof itself that Taylor's new found mothering made her that way.
2. If Turtle had not found Lou Ann, I believe she would have been worse off. Even though it does not seem so at first, Lou Ann has been about as helpful to her as she has been to Lou Ann. Lou Ann taught Taylor that one should worry about life to an extent, because when people tend to live without any cares, they can find themselves in difficult situations. She also taught Taylor the value of friendship, and how family extends beyond blood relations.
3. In chapter 9, Estevan tells Taylor about his daughter, Ismene. Taylor immediately realizes that her situation as compared to Estevan and Esperanza's was not too bad at all. Taylor had always thought that she had it pretty rough and was sometimes negative about her situation. However, after hearing about Ismene, she begins to realize that she should be thankful for the friends and life that she has and that she has been so lucky on her journey.
4. The night-blooming cereus symbolizes a once in a lifetime opportunity for Taylor and Esteven and Esperanza. The night-blooming cereus only blooms once a year but it is always beautiful. Likewise, a righteous risk such as the one Taylor is taking by transporting illegal immigrants is also very rare. However, in doing this, she is helping out fellow human beings, but more importantly, good friends. Taylor has been down on the world in previous chapters because of all the hate and evil. However, this good deed is like the cereus blooming, beautiful and rare.
1.I think that Turtle symbolizes Taylors transformation because Turtle has been there throughout the whole book and has by staying with her helped her grow as a person. By getting stuck with her, Taylor felt responsible for Turtles life and when she had to take care of Turtle she realized things that she wouldn’t have by just staying independent.
2. I think if she didn’t find Lou Ann then she would have had good morals and beliefs like her mom taught her but Lou Ann made her more responsible with caring for people and I feel like she really helped her open up about her life.
1. Turtle is a symbol of Taylor because she shows the change Taylor has gone through. Up front you see that Taylor has gone from being a girl with few responsibilities to a single mother raising an abused child. Turtle also symbolizes the emotional growth Taylor has gone through. From not really caring about anything Taylor to fighting to keep Turtle with her.
3. Taylor realizes that her life is so easy compared to Esperanza and Estevan's. Even though she wasn't the richest girl in the world she still had a decent education and a good home. Where as Estevan and Esperanza's lifes were quite different. She realizes that she hasn't taken in to consideration that most of the things she has are by luck, and Esperanza and Estevan have to fight to receive even less than her.
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