In the novel A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith, the massive tree for which the book is named serves as a crucial symbol for the story. In many ways, it directly symbolizes the main protagonist herself. The tree illustrates the life of Francie Nolan, and is able to highlight her struggle to break out of the disadvantaged life she was born in to. The tree gives us insight into her character and also the central theme of the novel.
Early in the story, the reader is told of a sapling that is growing in a crack in the sidewalk of a Brooklyn street. The people who pass by scoff at it, remarking that it's impossible for the tree to grow; surely it will die before long. Later in the story, one realize that the sapling did survive, and in fact grew into the massive and beautiful tree that creates a curtain of foliage over Francie's balcony. It represent her life. She was born in a poor family in a hard, urban life. Just like the tree, nobody expects her to blossom into anything, due to the disadvantaged way her life began. Despite all odds, Francie works hard and eventually is able to attend the University of Michigan and make something of her life.
The central theme of the novel is that the struggle the impoverished must face to survive is what makes them such strong people. The symbol of the tree illustrates this theme, as the tree's long struggle and "determination" yielded not only a healthy plant, but a thick and formidable piece of nature in the middle of the merciless urban landscape. It symbolizes the hope for those willing to work hard, like the Nolan family. Francie and her brother even discuss how their friend who hails from a wealthy family is actually unfortunate, because the lack of hardships will leave her a weaker person.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn depends upon the central symbol, the Heaven Tree, to convey Smith's message of hope, and provide a visual representation of the struggle and accomplishments of a young girl trying to flourish against all odds.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThough A Tree Grows in Brooklyn sounds like a wonderful text (and perhaps a personal favorite of yours?) I can’t find it on the AP Literature approved reading. (Though, admittedly, I am unsure if that list even exists). That being said, I would think that we should try to complete this open prompts as if we were in the test setting and should maybe use books that we read this year, as then we know for certain that we have a deeper understanding of the text. You do some competent understanding, that is for sure, especially when you stated the theme of the book, and then back up why the sapling helped illustrate this, in, “The central theme of the novel is that the struggle the impoverished must face to survive is what makes them such strong people.” However, you took three paragraphs to get there so I would recommend that you plot out your essay before hand to make sure you get to the meat of it earlier, as we are on a time limit.
I disagree with Max about only picking books we've read this year because those are the ones we know we can analyze because we did the majority of it together as a class. I think that picking a completely different text gives you a better chance at conveying your understanding of analysis. I really like how you balanced this post between plot summary and actual analysis of the text, but I do agree with Max saying that only saying the message at the end creates some longing in the reader. And, since I don't know the book well (I think I may have read some of it in middle school, I remember Mrs. Webster suggesting it to me), I can't pinpoint what I feel is missing, but I do feel SOMEthing missing. I know that is so vague and unhelpful, but it just seems a little lacking, a little short perhaps.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a little short for an open prompt. I usually like to read longer papers with more analysis and connecting ideas, but with only forty minutes to write it gets really hard, I know... Though I disagree with Max in saying that you should pick a book off the AP list, I do think a book that maybe more people have read would be a better idea. But I'm only seventeen and haven't read as many books as the people who actually grade these essays have, so I'm sure it wouldn't be a big deal in the AP test. Overall, I think you did well mentioning everything from theme to symbolism and analyzing it.