Your essay should:

• Introduce the symbol and explain its importance within Francie Nolan's world in early twentieth-century Brooklyn.
• Present a clear argument regarding how the tree's symbolic significance changes throughout the novel, reflecting Francie's own journey.
• Support your argument with at least three specific examples from the text, including direct quotes when possible.
• Address a counterargument: some readers might contend that the novel romanticizes poverty — clarify whether the tree symbol aligns with or contradicts this interpretation.
• Conclude by linking the symbol's meaning to a broader, universal truth about the human experience.

• Introduce a clear, defensible thesis that connects the tree's symbolic role to Francie's growth as the main character.
• Analyze at least three specific passages or scenes from the novel where the tree's symbolism is directly or indirectly tied to themes of resilience, survival, or hope.
• Discuss how Smith employs the setting — particularly the Brooklyn tenement environment — to strengthen the connection between the tree and Francie's situation.
• Address a counterargument: some readers view the tree as a symbol representing the Nolan family as a whole instead of just Francie. Acknowledge and refute (or complicate) this interpretation.
• Conclude with a reflection on what Smith's use of this symbol reveals about the broader human ability to endure hardship.

Requirements

Guiding Question to sharpen your thesis: How does Smith use the ailanthus tree to suggest that while environment shapes a person's destiny, it does not fully determine it?

• Minimum 5 paragraphs (introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion)
• Textual evidence with proper citation required
• MLA or Chicago format

Your essay should:

• Introduce the Ailanthus tree as a symbol and its significance in the novel's opening and closing passages.
• Develop at least three body paragraphs, each backed by specific textual evidence, that link the tree's qualities (its ability to thrive in concrete, its determination to regrow after being cut down, its beauty in harsh environments) to Francie's personal growth and the broader immigrant experience in early 20th-century Brooklyn.
• Address a counterargument: Some readers believe that the novel romanticizes poverty rather than critiques it. Acknowledge this viewpoint and counter it using evidence from the text.
• Conclude with a reflection on what Smith ultimately conveys about the connection between hardship and human development.

Guiding Questions to Consider

• Why does Smith start the novel with a description of the tree before introducing any characters?
• How does Francie's connection to the natural world reflect her inner feelings and aspirations?
• What does it mean to "grow" in Brooklyn — both literally and figuratively?

Requirements

Minimum 5 paragraphs | Textual evidence required | MLA or Chicago citation format