Summary Of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

In the novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith tells the story of Francie Nolan, from when she is a little girl curios about the wonders of the world, to a grown woman who has experienced all the pain and the hardships the world has to offer. The exposition in the book begins in the summertime of 1912 in Brooklyn, New York. The main characters, Katie Nolan and Neeley Nolan, are revealed as they complete their Saturday ritual of selling junk to Carnie the junkie, and spending the extra money on candy and toys. Francie has a difficult life because her father, Johnny, is the town drunk and struggles to find work, while her mother, Katie, works all day to support their family. Katie’s older sister, Aunt Sissy, has the qualities of a great

The narrative hook in the novel comes about when Katie gives birth to a boy named Neeley whom she favors over Francie. The birth also causes Johnny’s drinking problems to get worsen and he becomes undependable as a father and a husband to Katie. More problem arise after a drinking binge on Johnny’s twenty-first birthday and the family has to move to a new apartment out of shame for his actions. The rising action occurs because of the fact that Francie has to sell trash and metal to have enough money to buy stale loafs of bread from the local Jewish deli. At school, Francie is bullied because of her economic status and she has to move to another school that accepts her families economic struggles. Francie now has to walk an extra 42 blocks to school. Later in the climax, Seargent McShane proposes to Katie Nolan, Francie’s mother. Katie excepts the proposal because Seargent McShane is a good man who will make it possible for Laurie to grow up without the hardships faced by her family. Seargent McShane also has the ability to send Francie and Neeley to college in the future. The falling action occurs after Katie is proposed to, when the Nolans move out of their home in Brooklyn to get ready for Katie and McShane’s wedding. Francie has a difficult time saying her last goodbye to