A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

A Tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is considered to be an American classic. The story begins with Francie, an eleven-year-old girl growing up in the slums of Brooklyn. Her father is sweet man, but is also an alcoholic who takes part-time work as a singing waiter. Her mother cleans houses to bring in most of their money. Francie and her ten-year-old brother, Neely, help out by collecting bits of scrap metal and other items to sell to the junk man. Francie learns the value of a penny early in life. The family lives in a tiny apartment and they often go hungry when money doesn't stretch far enough to buy food.

Despite all of the hardships in her life, Francie is nearly overwhelmed by the beauty of her life. She loves her father's singing voice, and she loves the things her mother is able to cook with their meager supply of food. She finds peace in listening to her parents talk late at night and joy in reading every book she can get her hands on. She finds beauty in the slums around her is happy in the way only a child can be.

As Francie grows up, she comes to find that life is often hard. She sees the sacrifices her family members make and has to make sacrifices of her own. Throughout it all, she never loses her determination or her love for her family and for Brooklyn. Her experiences were probably shared by many other young women growing up during this time period.

I admit that at first I had a hard time getting into the book because the story does not move quickly and it contains a lot of detail. I tend to prefer books with a plot that move right along and this book really just describes Francie's life from the time she was 11 to 16. Many things happen during that time, but nothing really unexpected or suspenseful. I also thought that the ending wrapped up just a little too neatly (a little too happily ever after). That said, I think it was definitely worth reading.

I believe that the author was using the tree that grows in Brooklyn as a metaphor for Francie and her life in the slums. Here is a passage about the tree in the book:

There's a tree that grows in Brooklyn. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. It grows in boarded-up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. It grows up out of cellar gratings. It is the only tree that grows out of cement. It grows lushly, but only in the tenement districts... [It] survives without sun, water, and seemingly without earth. It would be considered beautiful except there are too many of it.

So it is with Francie and many of the other children who grew up in the poor parts of Brooklyn. They seemed to thrive even though they were faced with incredible hardships. Adversity makes us stronger and the story of Francie is the story of so many other children who grow up in poor circumstances. Francie reflects on this fact at the end of the novel.

...the fir tree that the Nolans had cherished with waterings and manurings, had long since sickened and died. But this tree in the yard--this tree that men chopped down... this tree that they built a bonfire around, trying to burn up its stump--this tree lived! It lived! And nothing could destroy it.

Francie and her family definitely lived (and enjoyed life) in spite of everything.