Topic > The Bean Trees: An Exploration of Motherhood and Belonging

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver is a touching and compelling novel that explores themes of motherhood, identity, and belonging. Set in the 1980s, the novel follows the journey of Taylor Greer, a young woman from Kentucky who embarks on a journey to escape small-town life and find her place in the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Over the course of the novel, Taylor learns the importance of family and community and how they shape one's sense of identity. As she travels through several states, she meets a diverse group of people who become her chosen family, including Lou Ann, a single mother struggling to raise her son, and Estevan and Esperanza, a Guatemalan couple who fled their country in search of of safety. .One of the novel's most significant themes is motherhood, as Taylor unexpectedly finds herself caring for a young Cherokee girl she names Turtle. As Taylor faces the challenges of being a single mother, she learns the resilience and strength needed to care for a child and the importance of creating a safe, loving home for her daughter. Barbara Kingsolver mentions Taylor's mother cleaning houses and calling the owners ma'am or mister or sir." As you can see, Taylor's mom had to clean the houses and she and Taylor had to call the owners and kids Ms or Mr. It's a shame that she and Taylor have to call the owner's Ms and Mr because she doesn't have as much money as the owners he is cleaning for. The owners treat her, for example, like a lower class person (and she is). America doesn't keep its promises because it doesn't support people like Taylor's family. Taylor and her mother were struggling and there was no support from America. Another example of this when Taylor sees these men: “Look at those boys in the park with nowhere to go,” I said. and the woman too. I saw whole families out there.” As you can see, America does not support its people at all. Taylor says he's seen families on the streets, but America isn't doing anything. America promised freedom and opportunity, but where is the support? There is no support because these people are left on the streets. Another central theme in The Bean Trees is the idea of ​​belonging. Taylor struggles to find her place in the world, and through her experiences with Lou Ann, Estevan, and Esperanza, she learns that family and community can be found in unexpected places. The novel highlights the importance of connections and relationships and the role they play in shaping one's sense of self and belonging. The Bean Trees is also a commentary on social and political issues of the time, including immigration, racism, and poverty. Through the characters of Estevan and Esperanza, Kingsolver sheds light on the difficulties faced by refugees seeking safety in the United States and the discrimination they face from those who fear them. The novel also explores the impact of poverty on individuals and communities and the importance of social programs to support those in need. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, The Bean Trees is a powerful novel that explores complex themes such as motherhood, identity, and belonging. Through the experiences of Taylor and her chosen family, Kingsolver highlights the importance of relationships and connections, as well as the resilience needed to face life's challenges. The novel also serves as a commentary on the social and political issues of the time and reminds us..