When we think of birds, visualizing them building their nests in cacti is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind. In the book The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, metaphorically, everyone is constantly building their nest in the cacti and evolving from their experiences. From living in attics to traveling across the country with no destination, the characters in this book do not live what society considers to be the "conventional American lifestyle." Growing and thriving in unexpected and unusual places and ways is only average throughout the book. Taylor, despite unorthodox living conditions or lifestyle, shows how living things are able to find methods to grow and change. From the great change of location to the change within, idiosyncratic development shapes the journey this book takes. As the protagonist, Taylor lives a life far from the ordinary, and gains maturity and knowledge of the world through a journey most could not dream of. Deciding to leave her home in Pittman County, Kentucky, she was the one who moved away, both mentally and physically. The culture of the place she grew up didn't match her personality, and she decided she wouldn't let herself fall into the lives of the other people in her town. She bought a car and hit the road, with no plan or destination to stick to. This journey shows the type of personality she possesses and, throughout the journey, how she evolves. Taylor was already an admirable person and already possessed many positive traits. She was already independent and knew there was more to the world than what was in Pittman County. She knew there were opportunities for improvement and endless things to learn in the world, but she just didn't know what they were. Unfortunately, most of what she learned... middle of paper... finding a way to achieve what she wants. Lou Ann's complete transformation from a shy housewife to a strong single mother was the result of unique experiences from which she was able to thrive. From tight-lipped to communicative, oblivious to obsessed, indifferent to independent, The Bean Trees shows all kinds of changes that can happen in unimaginable situations. By making these transformations so real, Barbara Kingsolver brings the book to life by allowing the characters to grow and flourish in unique ways in all kinds of circumstances, just like we do in the real world. Lessons could even be learned from what these people have learned during their life journey and applied to how we behave in our daily lives. Independence, self-confidence, perseverance and perseverance all prove to be essential qualities for success in life, no matter what it throws at us..