The Growth of Marietta in Barbara Kingsolvers The Bean Trees Essay

The Growth of Marietta in The Bean Trees Barbara Kingsolver, in the novel The Bean Trees, portrays the story of a young woman, Marietta Greer, learning about love, responsibility, friendship and the human condition. All of us can relate to the struggles of every day life; however, it is when we must deal with issues that we would rather run from that show our true character. Sooner or later, we all have to confront issues that life bestows on us. Â   Marietta embarks on her journey west in a 1955 Volkswagen with a pledge to get away from Kentucky. She fulfills a promise she has made when she changes her name to "Taylor" after passing through a town named Taylorville. While traveling in Oklahoma, she acquires a three year old she names "Turtle." It is when Taylor's car breaks down in Tucson that she and Turtle begin their new life together. Through their travels, they meet up with people who draw them in and provide love and support. Their new friends, Lou Ann, who becomes their roommate, and Mattie, Taylor's new boss, convince Taylor to return to Oklahoma to find Turtle...