In-class essay: 

Family Redefined

Feminist novels and movies deal with the idea that in our fragmented society, the concept of family must be redefined. In the past, society defined family as 2.5 well-groomed children raised by a stay at home mother and a father who went off to work in a gray flannel suit. Single parent families were often called "broken families," and children raised in these families were looked down upon and referred to as "disadvantaged" children (or worse!)  Today, many families do not conform to that mold. In the United States, less than half of all children under age 18 live in a traditional family with both parents, and that number will likely continue to fall.
Pew Research Study: Fewer Than 46% of Children Live in a Traditional Family


In the book The Bean Trees and the movie Home is Where the Heart Is, the concept of family is redefined. Your assignment is to explain what makes up a family according to these works. The essay you write must have:
An introduction to the idea of family.
A thesis (what "family" really is (according to the book and movie)
3 supporting paragraphs with examples from the book and movie

How does Turtle's "family" help her grow up to be a happy, well-adjusted person?
1. Protects you--Turtle was so abused that she might have been killed
Dr. Pelinowski says she had many broken bones when she was little. "Failure to thrive" (165).
Turtle clings to Taylor for protection and comfort.
2. Love and care for you--Taylor decides to take Turtle. Esperanza and Estevan are willing to risk their lives to help her become adopted; Mattie takes takes them in
3. Teach you lessons--you have to adapt to change, like people dying. If you have someone to love you, it makes it easier.
Other examples of family:
Mattie makes sacrifices to take care of refugees.
Where the Heart Is
1. Protects you--Novalee protects Lexi and her kids.
2. Love and care for you--Forney babysits her; Sister Husband takes them in; during the tornado Novalee is more concerned for Americus than for her own life.
3. Teach you lessons--
Other examples of family:
Novalee protects Lexi and her kids.
Forney makes sacrifices to take care of his sister.
Sister Husband risks her own life to help an AA member.

Write an introductory paragraph for your essay.
Hook
Write question that introduces us to the idea of family.

HOMEWORK:
Write an introduction to your essay on what makes up a family
Write at least six (6) sentences
have a thesis (your idea about what a family really is)



Conclusion

Check out Ricochet River

Next week: Bean Trees Argumentative Essay