In "The Glass Castle," Jeannette Walls shares a poignant moment between her and her mother regarding compassion and understanding. Jeannette expresses her feelings of hatred toward a woman named Erma, to which her mother advises against harboring such strong negative emotions, emphasizing the importance of finding redeeming qualities in everyone, regardless of their actions. This conversation reflects her mother’s belief in unconditional love and empathy, urging her daughter to look beyond hatred.

Jeannette challenges her mother’s perspective by questioning if there can be any redeeming quality in figures like Hitler, known for his atrocities. In a surprising response, her mother points out that Hitler had a fondness for dogs, demonstrating that even the most despicable characters can have aspects that are not entirely negative. This exchange highlights the complex theme of compassion interwoven throughout the narrative, showcasing the struggle between understanding human nature and recognizing the pain caused by individuals.