Francie Nolan And A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Francie Nolan and the Tree of Heaven are symbolically linked in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. After reading the first few pages of the novel, one knows that the title is referring to what is known as the “Tree of Heaven,” which is a tree that grows wherever the seed happens to fall. This kind of tree only grows in poor neighborhoods, or as stated in the novel, “It liked poor people.” The characteristics of the tree also accurately describe Francie; they both refuse to just wither and die, no matter what situation they might be in. Francie faced a great number of obstacles in her life that seemed impossible to overcome. It is because of her quality of perseverance that she is able to overcome those obstacles in life. Francie’s obstructions include losing her …show more content…
A major event that caused Francie to lose her innocence was when she was attacked by a sexual predator. She was left paralyzed after her mother, Katie Nolan, shot the man. Francie was hysterical as she cried out, “I want my leg cut off.” She was able to get past this tough situation, however, due to her father comforting her. He even went as far as to apply carbolic acid to a spot on her leg, which Francie welcomed because she felt the man’s touch being burnt away. Afterwards, a couple years later, Johnny Nolan passed away. Not only was Francie devastated, but her whole family was as well. As time wore on, Francie is better able to deal with Johnny’s death. Events like when she receives flowers from her father, which she obtained through Sissy, reassures her that Johnny was a good father. As Francie goes to work, she is able to make up for Johnny’s absence financially. They are even better off after Katie marries