Similarly, in The Bean Trees, Kingsolver focuses on several characters who all experience different types of loss throughout their lives. ... When Taylor first accepts responsibility for Turtle, the child is underdeveloped, both physically and mentally. As the novel develops, Turtle becomes able to deal with her loss of a happy childhood, and does begin to develop as a normal child. Taylor tells of Turtle's recovery when she says, "Turtle turned out to be, as the social worker predicted, resilient. ... In The Sweet Hereafter, and The Bean Trees, the authors use characterization to dev...

• Word Count: 2556
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School