Life Is Unfair - Theme - a Tree Grows in Brooklyn

"Life Is Unfair"

"Life is Unfair" is a universal theme used in many novels. It is prevalent to the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. Francie Nolan, Katie Rommely Nolan, and Johnny Nolan are three of the characters in this book which have experienced misfortune in life. They are a poor family who need to work hard to make a living.

Francie Nolan is the main character in the book. She is not able to act her own age because she must help her mother take care of her younger brother Neely. Francie helps her mother do all of the chores around the house and also runs errands for her. She goes out to the market so she can buy meat for her family to eat. Since her family is so poor they can not afford the good stuff; when she goes to buy food Francie buys the end of the tongue so that it will be cheaper. To help make money for her family Neeley and Francie collect scrap metal that they can sell to the junkie to make some money. One quote from A Tree Grows In Brooklyn that proves that they are poor is; "Then take a nickel, go to Sauerwien's and ask for the end-of-the-tongue for a nickel".

Katie Rommely Nolan is the mother of Francie and Neely Nolan and the wife of Johnny Nolan. Katie's life is very unfair because she has to do the most work for the Nolan family. Katie takes care of her children Francie and Neely, but she also works as a janitress cleaning four tenement apartments. But the worst part is that she must continue doing this even though she is pregnant because if she doesn't her family would not be able to eat. Katie brings home most of the money, and she also pays the rent and life insurance. "Me own land? A house? Were lucky if we can pay our rent"; is a quote that proves that Katie must work hard in order to keep her house and her job.

Johnny Nolan is the father of the family and he doesn't hold a steady job. Since Johnny got married young he did not finish his education. Johnny does not have a stable job. He works as a singing waiter, but he doesn't work every night. Johnny tries to be the best father he can be to his children but he isn't able to so this for them because he is an alcoholic. Johnny dies in the book of pneumonia; and leaves his wife Katie to take care of their three children Francie, Neely, and Annie Laurie (he does not meet her because he dies before Katie gives birth to her).

For all of these three characters, life has been unfair. They must work hard everyday of their lives just so they can put some food on the table. And even with all that hard work they are not able to afford the best food or good clothes. They are constantly struggling to make ends meet. But throughout all that they still love and care for each other.