Identify and analyze themes in the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Identify at least one universal theme and analyze why it is universal.

Answer:

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn covers several topics that deal with potential themes, including: the important lessons of childhood, the importance of differentiating between imagination and reality, and the value of using writing as an outlet. The first topic leads to this theme: “Childhood is the time to learn important lessons that affect the direction of one’s life.” The second comments that in life it is important to differentiate between imagination and reality in order to get along with others. Finally, the last topic reveals that writing can be an outlet that helps salvage a young person. Of these themes, the universal theme is the first one: Childhood is a time to learn lessons about life. It is universal because childhood, while not the same throughout all the cultures, has one thing in common: it is the first few years of a person’s life and therefore full of life lessons that will impact the rest of one’s life.