Student Question
How did Francie insult the pickle man in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"?
Quick answer:
Francie insulted the pickle man by unknowingly using a derogatory term when she asked for a "penny sheeny pickle." The term "sheeny" is an offensive slang for Jewish people, similar to "kike" or "hebe." Francie, unaware of its meaning, inadvertently offended the Jewish store owner, who already harbored a dislike for the young Irish girl.
On pickle days, Francie goes to the Hebrew man in the neighborhood store to buy a Jewish pickle.
When she goes to the store, the old Jewish man gets insulted when she asks for a "penny sheeny pickle" (Smith) Francie does not know that the word sheeny is an insult to Jewish people.
It is a slang word used to call Jews, kike or hebe, or worse. Francie uses the word without knowing what it means. But the Hebrew man can't stand the little Irish girl.
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