best novels of our time. But what makes this, or any, great novel, great? Is a book great

because it makes you think? Maybe its because you can relate to the book. Is it because

the characters are so familiar? Or maybe the way the author writes is what makes it good?

Well, perhaps it is not what the book is about or whether or not you can relate to the

characters, but maybe its about the feelings and elements in the book. The emotions that

the book carries. It was once said that the best literature is about the old universal truths.

Love. Pride. Sacrifice. Truly words that carry special meaning to all of us. There is no

better example of these truths than in Betty Smiths novel, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.

Many find it hard to express love. I find it harder to define love. There are so many

types of love. Truly we have all experienced some form of it but its always hard to label.

So many levels of love, types of love, and ways to love, who can decide? Well one doesn't

need to understand love to know love. The point is clearly defined in A Tree Grows In

Brooklyn. When Johnny sweeps Katie off her feet to Dan

homes of the many. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is such a novel.

for everybody. Francie took pride in her mother for having ground up the coffee beans,

difficult for it seemed impossible for her to have her own for all her attempts got her were

given up, opportunities missed, vacations never taken. Mary Rommely sacrificed her

No!" That is what it means to be proud.

ago and still is so familiar and emotional that it continuously brings joy into the hearts and

Katie thought to herself when she couldn't protect Francie from the heartache of love, "

A type of unrequited love you could call it. Still, it was love, and love in any form and on

that he always came home with a smile on his face, a song in his heart and a good word

When there wasn't enough food in the house you pretended that you weren't hungry so

baby's born dead. " After each futile birth, her love of children grew stronger. She had

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 950
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)