Lori Hits the Yellow Brick Road: How New York City Became Her Emerald City (Without the Flying Monkeys)
Let's face it, life with Rex Walls as your dad wasn't exactly a walk in the park (more like a trek through a sketchy junkyard). So, it's no surprise that Lori, the eldest Walls sibling in Jeannette Walls' memoir "The Glass Castle," dreamt of escaping their nomadic, poverty-stricken existence. Enter New York City, the Emerald City of her dreams, glistening on a distant horizon like a mirage... but hopefully a mirage that wouldn't disappear when you got close.
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| How Is Lori's Dream Of Moving To New York City An Allegory For Her Emerald City |
Why New York? Not Exactly Kansas
Unlike Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Lori wasn't yearning for a return to a simpler life. Welch, West Virginia wasn't exactly known for its vibrant nightlife or bustling career opportunities. New York, on the other hand, seemed to hold the promise of everything Welch wasn't: stability, opportunity, and maybe even a decent apartment that didn't leak like a colander.
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Emerald City or Concrete Jungle?
Now, New York City isn't exactly known for being a magical wonderland with a benevolent wizard (unless you count that guy who sells amazing hotdogs from his cart). But for Lori, it represented a chance to escape the chaos and create a life for herself. It was a place where she could be whoever she wanted to be, an actress, a writer, a billionaire who commutes exclusively by hot air balloon (hey, a girl can dream!). New York was the pot of gold at the end of Lori's very real yellow brick road – a metaphorical road paved with bus fumes, overpriced coffee, and the constant struggle to find a decent apartment (seriously, what's the deal with New York rent?).
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The Wicked Witch of Welch? (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't Rex)
There were definitely obstacles on Lori's path, of course. Financial limitations being a big one. Let's face it, saving up enough cash to move to New York when your dad's idea of a "financial plan" involves convincing the neighbors their old washing machine is a valuable piece of art is no easy feat.
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But unlike Dorothy, Lori didn't have a cackling green witch to contend with. Her biggest challenge might have been overcoming her own doubts and the limitations imposed by her upbringing.
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
The Takeaway: Why This Matters
So, what does Lori's dream of New York tell us? It tells us that even in the face of hardship, hope and ambition can persist. It shows us the power of dreams, even if those dreams involve surviving on a steady diet of dollar pizza and bodega coffee. New York City might not be a literal Emerald City, but for Lori, it represented the chance to create her own magic.
FAQ: How to Find Your Own Emerald City (Because We All Need One)
- How to identify your Emerald City? Look for the place that makes your heart sing, even if it's just a decent apartment with running water.
- How to overcome the Wicked Witch of Self-Doubt? Tell those negative thoughts to take a hike! You are strong, capable, and deserve to chase your dreams.
- How to pave your yellow brick road? Set realistic goals, make a plan (even a slightly crazy one!), and don't be afraid to ask for help.
- How to deal with flying monkeys (metaphorical or literal)? Okay, so this one might be a stretch, but flying monkeys can come in many forms. Learn to dodge negativity and surround yourself with supportive people.
- How to survive in your Emerald City (once you find it)? This one requires constant work, but with a healthy dose of hustle, humor, and maybe a few late-night ramen sessions, you'll be golden (or emerald, as the case may may be).
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