In the book "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, a significant moment occurs when the protagonist's mother suggests that they should go shoplifting. This proposal provokes a moral dilemma in the narrator, who questions whether stealing can be justified. Her mother responds by asserting that certain circumstances can permit bending the rules, drawing an analogy to justifiable homicide.

This conversation highlights the complex dynamics of the family's struggles and the unconventional values they hold. It raises questions about morality and survival, indicating that the characters often operate under a different set of ethics shaped by their challenging environment.