Influential Changes on a Personality .
The choices people make shape their lives for the better or for the worse. Even the decision not to choose has its effects, often not wanted. When a person encounters a decision to be made because of a friend, or neighbor, it could possibly leave a lifelong influence on that individual's personality. The same can be said for the novel The Bean Trees where the individuals were often touched positively, and negatively. By means of the learnt experiences, they were able to act for that reason and were more prone to take action and be drawn against the risks and obstacles that such choices involved. The novels spirited protagonist, Taylor Greer, grows up in a poor area in rural Kentucky. In her town some families "had Kids just about as fast as they could fall down the well, and drown," (Kingsolver 1) and a boy with a job as a gas-meter man was considered a "high-class catch." (Kingsolver 4) Simply avoiding pregnancy was a major achievement for Taylor. After many years of working for money, she needed to get away from Kentucky to get ahead, and when she goes, she leaves almost everything behind, including her real name. Throughout the novel, Taylor Greer's character was transformed in a positive way through the help of Mattie, Lou Ann, and Turtle. Their presence affected her emotionally, and intellectually. .
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From the moment they met, Lou Anna instantly affected Taylor's life in a positive way. Though at times their opinions and personality's show to some extent, a contrast, their dissimilarity serve their emotional needs and helps Taylor's growth as a person. Lou Ann is a bundle of neuroses and fears, in contrast to the confident Taylor. While Lou Ann is perpetually worried about what others will think about her, with the constant fear of saying the wrong thing, and offending friends who may abandon her, Taylor is confident, laid back, and adventurous.
