Sir Walter Scott, a poet and historian, once said, “Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.” Opportunities present themselves at unexpected times; whether they are helpful or futile depends on the consequences once action is taken. *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* by Betty White explains that, because everyone is unique in what they value and believe in, they each view one-in-a-lifetime chances in distinct ways. To make any significant differences in their lives, people must have their eyes fully open to the various possibilities.

The Nolans

Written as a semi-autobiography set in the 1900s, *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* depicts the struggles of an immigrant family of four. The Nolan family leaves Germany behind and moves to the United States (U.S.), where they find the Brooklyn tenements as a haven for immigrants from various countries, all hoping for a better chance at life. In Williamsburg, the children are raised and become accustomed to what life has to offer.

Francie Nolan, the protagonist and the daughter of second-generation immigrants, resides in Brooklyn in the early twentieth century. As a child, Francie recognizes her own poverty as well as that of those around her. Unlike other children in the community, she is observant and learns how to quickly take an opportunity when it presents itself before someone else does at the young age of 11. Along with her younger brother Neely, she roams around the neighborhood, searching for coins and other valuable objects that can be exchanged for money.

Similarly, her parents, Johnny and Katie Nolan, both strive to make a living to raise their children and pay the bills. Their mother does not think twice about working as a building cleaner, while their father uses his singing talent to work as singer/waiter at a restaurant. Both parents are interesting in their own ways. Take, for instance, her mother, Katie – she was hated by her best friend, Hildy O’Dair, for stealing her then-boyfriend Johnny when Katie fell in love with him because of his charm and looks. Later on, Katie harbors regret about marrying Johnny but knows that she has to live with it. Johnny, for his part, is known for being a drunkard and a dreamer, despite his handsome looks and carefree attitude.

A Lifelong Competition

As a coming-of-age novel, *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* guides the readers along Francie’s journey through life as she grows and matures. From the time that Francie was born into the world, she needed to be strong and unflinching, especially growing up in the slums of New York. In a place like Williamsburg, where perversion and thievery are commonplace, cowardice is never an option. The eccentricity of her family alone stands out, like Sissy Rommely, the older sister of Katie and favourite aunt to Francie. Her vulgar lifestyle of marrying one man after another is a weakness tolerated by the Nolans despite the scorn of their neighbors.

In fact, life is difficult because every member of the community lives in an impoverished environment, devoid of any real opportunity. Every day, each member of the family are scrounging for what little they can take home to help the family in whatever way they can. No one can avoid working, every individual, including the children, is always on the lookout for opportunities. It is a place where the saying “strike while the iron is hot” is key, because once an opportunity is missed; there is no guarantee of getting another chance.

Francie and her brother go out every Saturday collecting scrap to sell in exchange for money. They search around for anything that can be sold and bring the money home to their family. Opportunities in life are part of Francie’s childhood. Growing up, she experiences loss, pain, fear, and joy – all of which make her the strong girl she is.

Examining the Layer

Among the various symbols planted throughout *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn*, the Tree of Heaven and the tin can bank best exemplifies the Nolans. The title refers to a tree that only grows in the tenement districts; even before the Nolans arrive in Brooklyn, the hardy tree always stood in their yard, forming a lush green canopy of leaves and looking like an open umbrella. Its canopy of leaves is a symbol of hope and perseverance for people in the tenements. This is because the tree mirrors the people living in Brooklyn; even though it is uncared for, it still thrives.

The tin can bank, on the other hand, symbolizes the struggles of living in poverty. Francie’s grandmother Mary always advises Katie to drop five cents into the tin can every day so that, in years to come, they will have enough money to pay for their property. When Francie and Neely become old enough, they, too, have their own tin can bank where they put their earnings from selling junk. However, the tin never gets full because they constantly have to take money out of it. The endless filling and emptying of the tin can symbolizes the generational poverty that is passed on within the Nolan lineage.

In closing, as an autobiography, *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* mirrors the lives of those people who, like Francie and Neely, both grew up in poverty, seen and experienced things their parents should have protected them from. Despite this, Francie and his mother Katie have shown the readers how it is to live with the philosophy, “strike while the iron is hot.”

Book Information

Title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Author: Betty Smith

Publisher: Harper & Brothers

Publication Year: 1943

Pages: 493