Metaphors In The Bean Trees

In the novel The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, she creates a symbol of a rhizobia which are bugs that help support the root of the plant and give them long green pods. In the novel, we see Taylor and Mattie help support Lou Anne, Turtle, Estevan and Esperanza throughout difficult times. Taylor helps support Turtle when she becomes her caretaker . When Taylor was given the baby in the beginning, she never committed to raise her. Taylor began to accept Turtle and the responsibilities that came along. Later on when Taylor and Turtle were in Mattie’s garden planting seeds, Turtle said her first word, “bean”. Taylor as a proud mother she hugged Turtle and tells her “ just about the smartest kid alive”. Taylor here supports Turtle as when Taylor’s