114B Journal Question February 13, 2012

On one hand Jeannette Walls describes the squalor she and her family live in: hunger, poverty, garbage, lack of basic necessities. On the other, she describes the rich intellectual world her parents imparted: discussions of geology, math, literature, art. In light of the fact that three out of the four Walls children became successful, productive members of society, what do you think is more important to children's development: comfortable living conditions or an enriching intellectual environment?
It would seem that a perfect balance of both would really help with child development. Although, I think an enriching intellectual environment is a bit more important than comfortable living conditions. An enriching intellectual environment definitely helps to build responsibility and character which is really important but, may put a bit of damper on their childhood.

114B Journal Question February 6

Throughout the book we hear Rose Mary’s complaint: “I’m a grown woman now, why can’t I do what I want to do?”(74). At what point can adults do whatever they want, if at all?

I think that adults shouldn't ever really do what ever they want. Adults have a lot of responsibilities. The time to do whatever you want is when you are a child and Rose Mary makes a point in that by allowing her kids to do anything they please. She should live by her own logic and be a little bit more responsible.