A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Betty Smith
- First Published: 1943
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Bildungsroman
- Time of Work: Early twentieth century
- Setting: Brooklyn, New York
- Genres: Long fiction, Bildungsroman, Domestic realism
- Subjects: Girls, Maturation or coming of age, Family or family life, New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Sex or sexuality, Twentieth century, New York City, Courage, Education or educators, Yards or backyards, Schools or school life, Poverty or poor people, Alcoholism or alcoholics, Substance abuse, Inner cities or inner-city life, Working class, Reading, Ambition, Success or failure, Trees, Seasons
- Locales: Brooklyn, NY
Characters Discussed
Francie Nolan, a sensitive and intelligent Brooklyn girl, growing up in grinding poverty. Because of her high values and her strength of spirit, she is able to make the most of her environment. She acquires self-reliance and is never crippled by a sense of defeat and deprivation. As the novel ends, she is making preparations to go to college.
Neeley Nolan, Francie’s younger brother, a sympathetic but less intelligent and less interesting figure. His importance in the story is secondary to hers.
Johnnie Nolan, their father, a Saturday- night...
[The entire page is 581 words long]
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