ATree Grows in Brooklyn

Li Liu

North America Testing Academy of Global, Suzhou

Coming of age is an important and unique universalexperience. Every child must come of age at some point in their lives, whetherthrough a horrible ordeal, or by the passing of time, but what is mostimportant is that they learn from it and carry it throughout their lives. Whenwe look back on, we all considerthe adolescence as one of the most formative periods of our lives.

     I, currently, spend most of my timeteaching students who are growing intoadults. Here, for my dear students, I highly recommend aninteresting novel A Tree Grows in Brooklynwritten by Betty Smith.This book is not simply to entertainbut also to guide. Hopefully, it is a way to teach them indirectly about how to lay the foundations for a goodlife and a healthy transition into adulthood.

This book is a beloved American classic about a younggirl's coming-of-age at the turn of the century. The story is beautifully andyet heartbreakingly written. It's about thriving in environment despite ofadverse circumstances. I read it during my college year due to therecommendation of my American Literature teacher. Undoubtedly, the book is more thangreat literature. The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolanand her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg enchanted andaffected me for a long time. It personally resonated with me because of itsdepth and narrative immersion in a bygone world. I came to love each characteras if they lived in my life. I was so in tune with the story I found myselflaughing, crying, cheering, and feeling scared. The events that shaped her lifewere at various times humorous, poignant, and uplifting. I firmly believe that the incrediblyrich moments of universal experience will inspire my students as well.

Francie Nolan, our protagonist, is a pre-teenager justbeginning to step out on the edge of adulthood. Her personality sets the tonefor much of the novel. She survivespoverty, lack of formal education, sexual assault, extreme loneliness, and lostlove. Each experience is like a severe test for being an adult. For her,growing up does not mean she becomes jaded by the world. In fact, she learns tovalue it all the more. Ironically, when America enters the war, Francieexperiences an affirmation of life - she realizes she has to live every minuteof every hour the best she can. She realizes on her date with Lee thathappiness is not a faraway experience, but the little things in life thatpeople often overlook. By the end of the book, Francie has a more complex viewof her world and becomes a strong and independent woman.

Francie set a good example for all of us to have thedetermination to rise above difficult circumstances. Hopefully, students willget positive strength and find resonance after reading.