The Women in the Nolan/Rommely Clan

Francie is like her mother and grandmothers because she keeps pushing forward and is determined to get into a better life than what she is living. Like her family, she sees the importance in education because that is the key for her to go forward. The family control their destiny by leaving a place where they know them too well.

The Women in the Nolan/Rommely Clan

The women in the Nolan/Rommely clan exhibit most of the strength and, whenever humanly possible, control the family's destiny. In what ways does Francie continue this legacy?

Francie's Essays

Francie's teacher dismisses her essays about the poor as "sordid." It does seem that many of the characters in the novel have a feeling of shame about being poor. They also exhibit great strength and self- reliance. Katie's mother says she would kill herself and her children before accepting charity. How and why have our society's perceptions of poverty changed over the years?

Francine

Quotations from Text

Sometimes quotations taken from the text can provide us with information about the characters, setting or theme in a piece of literature. What do you think the following quotes tell us?

1. "Everyone said it was a pity that a slight pretty woman like Katie Nolan had to go out scrubbing floors. But what else could she do considering the husband she had, they said." (Smith 12)

2. "Francie knew that mama was a good woman. She knew. And papa said so. Then why did she like her father better than her mother? Why did she? Papa was no good. He said so himself. But she liked papa better. (Smith 35)

Chapters 3 & 4

Great responses! Nice job keeping the dialogue going with your comments. Feel free to post ideas of your own that we can all comment on. Let's move along to chapters 3 & 4. We are just getting to the good stuff!

The Tree Symbolizes....

I think that the tree symbolizes growth and change in Francie's life. I think this because the book is really about Francie growing, and the tree in her yard probably symbolizes the same thing to her, as well. As she grows, the tree in her yard is also growing. It could also represent a constant in Francie's life. The tree has been there for as long as she has and is obviously there throughout at least most of the book if it's part of the title. So maybe it's one thing that stays the same when Francie grows and changes.

THEME/SETTING

The tree to me symbolizes the things that happen to the girl. Atleast that what i predict i didnt read the book yet but i think as time goes on she changes and the tree does too. The meaning of it would be that not everything stays the same with the fact that she is poor and doesnt really have the best family and moral support will hopefully change as the time goes on through out the book.

Re: setting, theme, and symbolism

Re: setting, theme, and symbolism

Growing up out of the cement of Brooklyn, the tree stands tall as a beacon of hope. It symbolizes what can be, and how life can exist in a dead place. It is a tree which "struggled to reach the sky", persevering when all hope seemed lost. For the people of the tenements, it symbolizes them; never giving up when life is rough and times are troublesome. The tree is hope for the future, showing what one can grow to be if they just hold out another moment, another day. It opens for the sun, a hope for tomorrow, and its leaves shine green with life. In the middle of a city, it is a testament to strength. Its roots are deep within the challenges of poverty and life, and it has not always been easy. In a desolate place, it almost had no chance. It is especially meaningful to those in the "tenement districts", those that need a little bit of hope and understand the struggle and strife the tree went through to become what it is. But the tree, like hope, overcame its bounds to grow tall and strong against all odds.

Setting/Theme

This quote comes from the first chapter of the novel. The author begins the book by describing this specific tree to emphasize the importance of the setting in the novel. What do you think the tree symbolizes?
“The one tree in Francie's yard was neither a pine nor a hemlock. It had pointed leaves which grew along green switches which radiated from the bough and made a tree which looked like a lot of opened green umbrellas. Some people called it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed fell, it made a tree which struggled to reach the sky. It grew in boarded-up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps and it was the only tree that grew out of cement. It grew lushly, but only in the tenement districts.”

Let's Get Ready to Read!

I can see we have some talented writers! Remember you can use this blog to converse back and forth! Make comments on each other's posts. Add pictures if you like.

Let's begin Chapter 1 and 2. Happy Reading!

Re: Losing a loved one allows you to grow

Losing a loved one allows you to grow.

Through overcoming grief, pain, and eventually maturing, I believe that the statement is true. Losing a loved one can be damaging. Suffering through grief is an extremely painful process that affects us deep inside. Knowing that someone you love is gone and will not come back is a hard blow that is difficult to overcome. The feeling of heartbreak and mourning is terrible, but in the face of pain, there is also an opening towards becoming more mature. Though the feeling that your heart has broken is strong and difficult to see past, we realize that we are not immortal. Growth oftentimes comes from realization, and realizing that these things happen can be an awakening.

If you overcome your grief and looks towards tommorow, losing a loved one can allow you to grow. Dwelling on the past does not help, but it is not good to forget. You must learn about yourself from what happened and realize that the past cannot be changed, but the future is forever ahead.

Anticipation Guide

Before reading, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, please respond to the following post...

1. Take a good look at the cover of your book. What do you think the story will be about based
on the illustration and title? (No peeking at the back!) Comment on this entry.

2. Some of the common themes throughout the story are poverty, alcoholism, and perservering
amidst hardships. Think about whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Choose one statement you find interesting to write a short comment explaining your opinion
on whether you agree or disagree.


Statements:

1. Being poor has a negative impact on the people in that situation.
2. Losing a loved one allows you to grow.
3. Your extended family (aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins) can be a wonderful support
system in times of need.
4. Love causes pain.
5. Parents should not force their children to do something they do not want to do even if it
is for their benefit.
6. The amount of money you have determines how you are viewed by society.
7. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.


Thomas, 2001