Independence will be a time which is present in every individual’s life. Becoming independent, an individual begins to recognize the ability to become self-sufficient, an idea which was most likely ignored due to an early age. Once a mindset to become independent is established, the individual will realize their true potential, becoming successful in their own ways. In the memoir, The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls, the author reveals her own path toward releasing her true potential. From a determined adolescent who sets herself on fire, determined to relieve her hunger to a successful journalist and author, Jeanette demonstrates how an innocent individual will suppress ideas of independence until reaching a mature age and realizing their true potential, ultimately resulting in development toward their own self-sufficiency.

Innocent minds will mask any unnecessary ideas of independence due to the false belief of safety established by those they believe their dependent from. In the first chapter of The Glass Castle, Jeanette relives her childhood as she speaks about the time when she caught on fire once making hot dogs at the age of three. Although being only three years old, Jeanette believed that making sure she was fed was her own duty. This clearly demonstrates her parents neglect toward their children as such responsibilities are not intended for the children themselves. Jeanette shows signs of independence at a very early age as making sure her basic needs are reached. Her innocence masks the neglect she faces from her parents, as she feels a sense of safety of ensuring that she is fed. Hotdogs can symbolize safety due to the satisfaction she may feel of just having food present; being able to deal with a hardship she may have faced before which could have been hunger. Jeanette establishes how an individual’s innocence will mask irrelevant ideas by a false sense of safety.

A maturing mind is much more capable of understanding hardships and in many cases cause a sense of realizing potential dangers. While growing up, Jeanette starts to look in the trash and even steal food from neighbors in order to keep herself from starving. The Wall’s family began to face financial struggles due to most of the family’s income being spent on selfish reasons by the mother and father. Jeanette’s maturing mind slowly starts to realize the issue and starts to develop ideas for long-term resolvement. At this point, Jeanette starts to show character development as the shift in her character is clearly visible. From an adolescent who

hides the signs of neglect to an individual who begins on understanding the problem, Jeanette starts to show signs of independence. Recognition of the issue leads to plans of resolution and being a determined individual, Jeanette begins to think of how she can help her family herself. This eventually leads to Jeanette taking actions to try to control her parents’ financial situation but ultimately realizes that it’s not possible to help due to her parents’ selfish tendencies. Jeanette demonstrates how a maturing individual will start to realize adversities which will ultimately help understand their own potential to become independent.

Once an issue is recognized, an individual will begin to establish their independence by acting on their own behalf. Prior to leaving her parents and moving to New York, Jeanette reaches a breaking point where she believes the only way to become successful is by practicing her independence. She plans out everything required to move away from her parents and still be able to survive. After several months, Jeanette is able to act upon the plan and leave. This situation shows Jeanette’s full understanding of her own potential in becoming independent which leads her to act on her own behalf. Jeanette demonstrates how a capable individual will begin to act in order to display their independence.

An independent individual recognizes their potential due to a realization of hardships throughout their life from an early age, which was once masked due to their innocence. An innocent child who neglected the thought of needing to become independent, realized a lifelong issue which leads them to act upon the situation which ultimately demonstrated independence that the individual was always capable of. Jeanette demonstrates how her response later in life,  toward her adversities from a young age revealed how she always inherited an independent self-sufficient character. All it takes is a moment of understanding, how much are we hiding from ourself?