Jun T. Chen

Regarding the struggle between fear and the desire to explore in the novel," A Trees Grows in Brooklyn," by Betty Smith, I believe the main character Francie, showed signs of this struggle. For example, Francie is an Irish immigrant who came to Brooklyn with her parents and brother. And despite living in proverty, she enjoyed her adventous life like exploring the junkyard and meeting new people. However, when she saw a old man, she began to think of her future self as an old lady with " toothless gums and feet that disgusted people." This implies that even though Francie enjoys exploring and interacting with new people, she holds deep fear of her future at the same time.
 In the first chapter of "A Trees Grows in Brooklyn," Francie used the poem," A Little Blue Boy ," by Eugene Fields, to descibe the "shafted sun," because both represent the same symbolism. For example, in the poem, the toys were orginally new and young, but as time went by, they grew rusted and covered with dust. This transition from new to old is shared with the sun in the novel, because similar to the toys, the sun was bright and new during the day, but when it approaches dusk, it grew dark and old.

Le Homework

In the first chapter of  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, we are introduced to Francie and her family and her struggles. Francie lives in the time prior to the start of World War I and it has proven to be a very hard time. As a young girl, her brother and her are constantly looking for materials to recycle. However, working for hours only provides them with pennies. We are also introduced to Francie's fear of dying. She is afraid of being alone when she is old and doesn't want to die with people not caring about her. So, she tries to live her life to the fullest, even if it is difficult. 

In the beginning, Francie talks about a tree. This tree grew in cement and it shows how even though life can be difficult, you can persevere and outcome the difficulties. 

January 25, 2013

Jenny

In the poem, "Little Blue Boy" by Eugene Field, he talks of a boy who kisses his toys before he sleeps, but never wakes up to kiss them again. The toys obey and still hope for the boy to wake up and kiss them again. They wonder what happened to the little blue boy. A Tree In Brooklyn by Betty Smith, the protagonist is a girl named Francie. The theme of the story from what what was read in chapter one can be: not being able to escape a place. Francie, as inferred to be an Irish immigrant is not wealthy. She has to endure the pain of being pinched on the cheek for an extra penny. Also, she is not able to afford many things. Francie does not show discontent for her life, but surely as a little girl, she does not want to grow up here in Brooklyn forever. She wants to live a life where she can buy candy whenever she wants. Like the toys who are waiting for the boy to wake up, Francie is waiting for her life to change, for something to happen. Also, in the supermarket, Francie sees an old man alone. She is scared to be alone, without the companion of her mom and  brother as she grows older. Like the toys, they do not want to be without the boy, but he never wakes up to kiss them again.

Growing - fear and triumph:

Going along with our theme regarding the struggle between fear and the desire to explore,  be free and independent, look at A Tree Grows in Brooklyn  and imagine how this theme might be relevant.

Also, look at the poem "Little Boy Blue" ( referred to in Chapter 1 of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)   and respond to what strikes you; why do you think this is the reference she uses?

Little Boy Blue
by Eugene Field (1850-1895)

The little toy dog is covered with dust,
   But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
   And his musket moulds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
   And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
   Kissed them and put them there.

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,
   "And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
   He dreamt of the pretty toys;
And, as he was dreaming, an angel song
   Awakened our Little Boy Blue---
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
   But the little toy friends are true!

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
   Each in the same old place---
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
   The smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting the long years through
   In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
   Since he kissed them and put them there.

Write thoughtfully about your feelings about the first chapter and the poem. 

Have fun with it! We will do more creative assignments as we go forward!

Just hit new post when you want to write.