Erma is a significant character in Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle. She is the grandmother of the author, the mother of Rex Walls, and represents a complicated figure in Jeannette’s childhood.
Throughout the book, Erma is depicted as a harsh and often abusive woman. Living in a small, rundown house, she embodies the dysfunction of the Walls family. Her relationship with Jeannette and her siblings is tense, and her cold demeanor adds to the challenges that the children face in their unstable home environment.
One of the most notable aspects of Erma’s character is her disconnection from the world around her. She often reflects the neglect and emotional turmoil that permeates the Walls family, showcasing patterns of behavior that both Jeannette and her parents struggle to navigate. Despite being family, Erma represents the generational trauma that affects the Walls children as they grow up.
In summary, Erma serves as a symbol of the difficult family dynamics present in The Glass Castle, illustrating how her presence contributes to the challenges faced by Jeannette and her siblings.