A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Summary

IV. In the exposition of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, the reader is introduced to the Nolan family. The Nolan family consists of four members living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn New York during the 1900s. Katie Nolan, the mother of Neeley and Francie Nolan has an Austrian family background, where Jonny, her husband and also the father of Francie and Neeley, has Irish in him however both parents were born in Brooklyn, making Francie and Neeley second generation Americans. Both Francie and Neeley were born into poverty and hardship, due to their parent’s financial state. However, in the exposition we learn that Francie is an optimistic young innocent girl, who has yet to experience the world around her. “Serene was a word you could
In order for Francie to begin attending school she must get vaccinated. Katie refuses to accompany her kids to get vaccinated to spare her from witnessing her children’s pain. When receiving her shot, Francie overhears her doctor and nurse conversing and is extremely overwhelmed with distress. “”My brother is next. His arm is just as dirty as mine so don't be surprised. And you don't have to tell him. You told me.”… “I had no idea she’d understand what I was saying” (Smith 147). In other words, this shows the doctor assumes she does not comprehend what he is saying because she is poor, however Francie disproves his initial assumptions and tries her best to spare her brothers feelings. After Neeley and Francie are vaccinated, both children begin to attend school. On an excursion, set up by the Mattie Mahony Association, Francie loses her tickets when gambling in a marble game. Policeman McShane recognizes that Francie lost her tickets gambling and supplies her with three new tickets. Not only does he supply her with tickets, he asks about her mother. Throughout the rising action, Francie faces obstacles in her classroom. The poor children were neglected only because of their financial state. France loved to learn, however when facing such discrimination she begins to enjoy school less and desires a different school. Her father Jonny assists Francie in transferring schools and ultimately enabling her to better
Unfortunately, the rapist sets his eyes on Francie as his next victim. “ Reluctantly, he loosed his hold and backed down the two steps keeping his wet eyes on Katie… Katie stopped, knelt on a step, pushed her apron bulge between two banister spokes, stared at the exposed part of his body and pulled the trigger” (Smith 256). The stress of life catches on to Jonny especially when Katie reveals she is pregnant with her third child. The pressures of life ultimately result in Jonny’s death, which forces Francie and Neeley to be introduced into the business world. Katie cannot support herself and her three children alone; therefore she begins to rely on her children to help generate income. Katie could only afford to send one child to high school; she chooses to send Neeley despite his feelings and Francie’s feelings. While working, Francie decides she wants to further her education, however believes she surpasses the high school level of education. Therefore, Francie attends a summer college where she meets Ben Blake. France instantly gains feelings for him, however he makes it clear he has one item on his agenda, which is his future. After work one day, Francie meets a solider named Lee, she falls in love with him, but soon comes to the realization that he left a life behind him and has a wife. She is heartbroken and confides in her mother, where she further understands that the world is a cruel place.