Individual development and companionship are important characteristics of the human being. Barbara Kingsolver's novel, The Bean Trees, explores the concept of character development through the influence of companionship between the main characters. The novel's main character, Taylor Greer, despised the thought of being forcibly tied to any place (especially his hometown). in Kentucky) and become a mother (Kingsolver). Taylor “intended to leave Pittman County and never look back” (Kingsolver 14). His goal to escape his old life was Taylor's main defining characteristic. As he had predicted, Taylor left Kentucky without a clear and fixed destination (Kingsolver 16). Due to a malfunctioning rocker arm on his classic car, Taylor stopped at a restaurant in central Oklahoma for car repairs and to rest. While stopped, she was approached by a woman who proceeded to place a bundled child into Taylor's car. Struck by total shock, Taylor told the woman that if she wanted a child, she would never leave Kentucky (Kingsolver 24); the woman insisted that Taylor take the child and implied that the child would be in danger if he remained in her [the woman's] care. Taylor felt conflict as well as a modicum of compassion for the child when he thought, I can take this Indian child back to that bar and give him to Earl or whichever of those two boys is left. Put it on the counter with salt and pepper and get out of here. Or I can go somewhere to sleep and think of something to do in the morning (Kingsolver 25). After a short period of time with the child, Taylor discovered that the girl had been molested. Taylor slowly… halfway through the paper… we seemed absolutely elated to be together (Kingsolver 265) and Esperanza even called Turtle “Ismene” (Kingsolver 266). Turtle and Esperanza bonded with each other in an almost “inseparable” way. Taylor observed that “something was happening inside Esperanza. Something was melting. She described the change within Esperanza as a thawing river that “began to flow again” (Kingsolver 277). Esperanza's "eyes were clear and she spoke directly to Taylor and Estevan" and she seemed to be really happy when she was holding Turtle. (Kingsolver 277) Because of Esperanza's companionship with Turtle and the love she felt for the little girl, she was filled with hope and regained her life. Companionship often promotes healthy character development. Taylor, Turtle, Lou Ann, and Esperanza have all experienced positive development through their friendship with each other.