They say growing up is hard to do, and it certainly was for Taylor Greer, which is why she couldn't wait to leave her home in Pittman County , Kentucky. The novel, The Bean Trees, written by Barbara Kingsolver, follows Taylor's story of growing up, leaving home, and accepting responsibilities. Along the way, Taylor is given a child, Turtle, and she struggles to accept the responsibility of raising a child. Kingsolver's choices in point of view, setting, conflict, theme, characterization, and style throughout the plot help create an uplifting story about love and what it means to be a family. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver is a story told in the first person, except in chapters two and four, which are told in the third person in limited omniscient. This perspective allows us to hear Taylor's thoughts and allows us to see things as she sees them: "She wore a long, straight dress made of an amazing fabric that was reminiscent of the double rainbow turtle and I I saw on our first day in Tucson: twice as many colors as you knew existed” (Kingsolver 102-103). In both chapters the third person was done this way to introduce a new character, Lou Ann, and her thoughts: "Lou Ann Ruiz lived in Tucson, but considered herself a simple Kentuckian far from home" (Kingsolver 24 ). The main setting of the story is Tucson, Arizona. In chapter three, Taylor and Turtle “crossed the Arizona state line at sunrise” (Kingsolver 35). The setting contributed to Taylor's characterization and plot. The difference between Arizona and Kentucky symbolizes Taylor's transformation from the beginning of the novel compared to the end. Moreover, it was because of the weather in Arizona that they found themselves stuck there: "the car was covered...... middle of paper ......etic, it incorporates the humor and realism to accurately portray the lives of ordinary people. She uses vivid images to provoke thought and emotion. Taylor at the end of the novel said: "[Turtle] looked down the dark road and entertained me with his vegetable soup song, except now there were people mixed in with the beans and potatoes: Dwayne Ray , Mattie, Esperanza, Lou Ann and all the rest. And me. I was the main ingredient” (Kingsolver 232). This quote is a metaphor, how they were all like vegetable soup, part of one big family. Now that Turtle has said it, it brings happiness and closure to the reader. Throughout the story, Taylor grows as a person and learns what it means to be part of a family. Kingsolver's choices in point of view, setting, conflict, theme, characterization, and style help support the plot and create an uplifting story with a positive message..