The Bean Trees #2: Vegetable Soup

I really like the ending of this book. Towards the end, everything seems to come together, and even the symbols become more clear. When Taylor is sitting in the library with Turtle, I feel like this implies that Turtle will have a good life, with loving people and hope for a future. This scene reminds me of Taylor's childhood, where she was naive, and not particularly knowledge. Education was poor in her hometown, and she did not sit with her mother reading horticulture in a library. Turtle has good chances a life, and the particular entry they study is very sweet :) The chapter is titled "rhizobia," because Taylor speaks with all the people that have been rhizobia for her: her mother, Estevan, Esperanza, and Lou Ann. Perhaps Mattie is omitted, because she is rhizobia for everyone, and she posed as a sort of mother figure who always believed in Taylor and praised her.

I also love how Lou Ann shows how far she has come in this novel. At first, she had low self-esteem, she was frightened of everything, and very cautious. By the end, she becomes adventurous, takes life into her own hands by rejecting Angel and deciding how she wants to handle her new boyfriend. Cameron seems sweet, and he is sort of like Taylor's old teacher. Taylor's old teacher was like a breath of fresh air for Pittsford; Cameron John is like a man Lou Ann has never had, and her relationship with him is different from her relationship with Angel, which dragged on when she lacked the confidence to move on.

Also, now that all is said and done in the novel, I would like to consider why the author chose the name "Turtle." Turtles are shy creatures, that tend to retract in their shells for protection, and they can use their shells to hide and blend in with surroundings. Turtle began as catatonic, too afraid and hurt to trust anyone. She retracted within herself, and she was so quiet, that Taylor did not even notice her in their first car ride. However, later in the novel, Taylor and Lou Ann discover that her name is actually April. I can relate the phrase "April showers bring May flowers" to her new name. Shortly after Taylor and Lou Ann realize the name, Turtle is attacked again in the park. Her life becomes story again, and she reverts to her old catatonic ways. Eventually though, she emerges from that phase again. First, the cereus blooming is an auspicious sign. During the travels, Turtle also finds mutual comfort and love with Esperanza, another damaged person. The trip ultimately brings about the bright ending, where everyone has come to terms with their past, and they now have lasting, loving bonds with another. Turtle realizes who she belongs with, and her relationship with Taylor imply that Turtle will have a hopeful life. These results would be the "may flowers" that emerge from the gloom.

When Turtle sings the vegetable soup song, I find that very contrasting with Turtle at the beginning of the novel. Turtle didn't speak at all in the novel, she was quiet and hurt. As the novel ends, the Taylor and Turtle are driving to Arizona again; this time, Turtle is bubbly, energetic, and she is singing! She doesn't just speak. She has come so far that she feels free to sing now.