Literary Devices

1. Setting:
Nevada, California, Arizona, West Virginia, And New York City.

2. Point of View:
First Person

3.Tone:
Light hearted, Dark Stories told in humorous ways.
"snot locker"(Wells 31)

4. Mood:
Describing unhappy things in happy ways.
"Look, im a half-mummy"(Wells 10)

5.Simile/Metaphor:
When Jeannette tries to become a poker player, Jeannette remembers, "Dad said you could read my face like a traffic light" (54).This is explaining how her face was easy to read like a traffic light.

6. Irony:
Jeannette’s mother disapproves of her gum chewing and calls it a low-class habit. They are low-class people. " Ugh, she disapproved of chewing gum, she went on, it was disgusting low class habit." (Wells 12)

7. Symbolim:
Fire, fire is a re-occurring symbol with Jeannette, who cannot keep herself from playing with it and watching it. The work contains a number of other fires that claim houses, sheds, and injure other characters. It can be said to represent a trend of chaos that is natural and staged.
Bended Joshua Tree, the tree that Rose Mary spots in the desert is indicative of the effect the struggles of life have on each of the character, like the tree growing sideways showing struggle.
Mountain Goat, The name Rex gives to Jeannette.The nickname refers to Jeannette's endurance in face of trouble. This nickname foreshadows Jeannette's persistence and endurance after her parents split.

8. Major theme
The major theme so far is the glass castle, or the childhood dream. Rex's hope for a magical, fantastic life in which he can provide for his family and please his children. Rex plans for the Glass Castle, including detailed dimensions for each of the children's rooms, but he never actually builds the castle. The symbol the Glass Castle represents remains with Jeannette to help her to believe that her father will do what he promises. However, this Dream will most likely become a lost dream.