You know you're down and out when Okies laugh at you,' she said. With our garbage bag taped window, our tied down hood, and art supplies strapped to the roof, we'd out-Okied the Okies.
In "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, the author reflects on a moment of deep humility and struggle during her childhood. The quote illustrates the level of desperation her family faced, as even those who typically embody hardship, like the Okies, found amusement in her situation. This emphasizes not only her family's struggles but also the stark reality of their living conditions. Additionally, the imagery of their makeshift vehicle, with a garbage bag for a window and art supplies tied to the roof, symbolizes their resourcefulness and resilience despite being down on their luck. Walls captures the irony of their situation, highlighting how they had become even more marginalized than those around them, making it a poignant moment in her narrative of overcoming adversity.