A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is very similar to the other books we have read in this class as the American Dream is a big part of the book. Francie’s parents, Johnny and Katie, had been working as night cleaners in a local school before Francie was born. They made around fifty dollars a month which was a nice amount at the time. Francie’s parents believe she is destined for greatness. “The only notable thing about the birth was that the infant was born with a caul which was supposed to indicate that the child was set apart to do great things in the world.”
The mothers in these books also look up to and love their own mother. Like Ma and Granma from Grapes of Wrath. Katie Nolan, Francie’s mother, was talking with her mother after giving birth about how she was fearful for Francie as both she and Johnny only had a sixth grade education and they can only teach Francie what they know. Her Mother said, “This child was born of parents who can read and write, to me, this is a great wonder.” She also said, “The secret lies in the reading and the writing. You are able to read. Every day you must read one page from some good book to your child. Every day this must be until the child learns to read. Then she must read every day, I know this is the secret.” Katie Nolan took this advice very seriously as Francie is reading a book everyday now.
Another similarity is that in the past books if a woman was pregnant she or her baby usually died. One of the parent’s sisters in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn keeps getting pregnant and has a stillbirth every time. I think she has had about eight babies. In this book and A Farewell to Arms, the fathers were not present for the birth of their children.
Great American Novels 2020 