Taylor, like many Americans wanted a better life for herself. All around her, girls were getting pregnant and thus having to stay in Pittman County, Kentucky to raise a family. Taylor decides to head west until her car breaks down. This idea was not seen through, however, because when Taylor hit Tucson, Arizona, she decided to make it her home. Even though she had managed to escape getting pregnant back in Pittman, she ended up with a small girl to care for. This was likely the reason why she did not continue going west. So did Taylor find a better life through all this, or should she have just stayed home? The answer to this question is debatable.

First, lets compare her financial sit

uation. Back in Pittman County, she lived with her mother who certainly seemed to at least get food on the table, even though she wasn't by any standards rich. Taylor's financial status at the beginning of the book is indicated on page two with the following quote: "which is not to say that we, me and Mama...had a dime to our names". Several chapters later, however, as Taylor settles down into Tucson, we find that she seems to be doing better. She has moved in with Lou Ann, obtained a job, and is taking good care of her adopted child. Since she is able to support herself and Turtle in Tucson, it seems that she's done fine financially.

Next, Taylor's emotional well-being comes into focus. She obviously wasn't happy with the life Pittman had

Some common words found in the essay are:
Turtle Tucson, Tucson Pittman, Pittman County, Tucson Arizona, Turtle I'll, County Kentucky, American Dream, Lou Ann, Taylor Americans, Turtle Lastly, pittman county, getting pregnant, taylor life, page quote,
Approximate Word count = 505
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)