In Anna Quindlen’s Foreword to the 2005 First Harper Perennial Modern Classics addition, she says about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:

Early on in its explosive success it was described as a book about city life, a story about grinding poverty, a tale of the struggles of immigrants in America. But all those things are setting, really, and the themes are farther-reaching: the fabric of family, the limits of love, the loss of innocence, and the birth of knowledge.

To what extent is this a novel about social issues and to what extent is this a novel about the universal human experience? How does the novel grapple with what it means to be human? Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question:

• What is the structure and pacing of the book, and how does it balance plot with theme or message?
• What is the purpose or function of certain characters?
• How is the setting, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a character unto itself?

Teaching Suggestion: Consider reminding students of the unit’s main themes, all of which deal with social issues but are shown through personal experiences. As the discussion builds, consider how you can ask probing questions to help students reconnect with both the themes and the discussion prompt.