A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Coming of Age Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

She had been in school but half a day when she knew that she would never be a teacher’s pet. That privilege was reserved for a small group of girls… girls with freshly curled hair, crisp clean pinafores and new silk hair bows. (19.3)

In case the doctor’s visit wasn’t enough, now Francie definitely knows that social class plays a big part in how you are treated in the world. She is well aware of this injustice and how challenging things will be for her because of it.

Quote #5

On that day when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived. (22.3)

She is a reader, through and through. Reading and education are very important—not just to the people around her, but also to herself.

Quote #6

Francie was ten years old when she first found an outlet in writing. What she wrote was of little consequence. What was important was that the attempt to write stories kept her straight on the dividing line between truth and fiction. If she had not found this outlet in writing, she might have grown up to be a tremendous liar. (26.34-35)

Francie is a tall-tale-teller, a fibber… oh, okay… let’s just say it: Our girl likes to lie. She loves a good story and if real life doesn’t provide enough excitement, she will embellish the truth to her liking. The fact that she realizes she has a good imagination and can channel it into writing really helps her figure out who she is, in addition to helping her become more trustworthy.