Coming of Age Quotes in The Glass Castle

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

[Mom] would only say that bad things happened there, which made the Green Lantern a piece of irresistible mystery to us. (2.15.3)

For a woman who doesn't believe children should be kept in the dark in any way, it's funny that Mom won't tell the kids that the ladies of the Green Lantern are prostitutes or what prostitutes do. Why does Mom keep this particular factoid a secret?

Quote #5

I liked knowing that I could do what grown-ups did for a living. (2.18.9)

Yeah, Jeannette has to act like a grown-up before she even hits puberty. If she can do what grown-ups do, then being a grown-up isn't that difficult of a job, or Jeannette is very advanced for her age. Which is it?

Quote #6

"It was self-defense," I piped up. Dad had always said that self-defense was a justifiable reason for shooting someone. (2.20.84)

Many children have parents to take care of them, but Jeannette often has to fend for herself. Being self-sufficient is a critical part of growing up. It just happens a little early for Jeannette.