Rivalry in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 11:11:38 04/27/08 Sun
Author: Shannon
Subject: Rivalry in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

If any you have read the beautiful American novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you would remember the rivalry between Francie and her younger brother, Neeley. If I remember correctly, the little boy, dark haired and vivacious, reminds their mother of their father in his youth and she does seem to love him more than her daughter, Francie. Francie's perception of this colors her relationships with her mother and even somewhat with her brother, though the rivalry remains an internal, emotional one for the most part.

As an example of taking a poor model, when I first read this book (I was rather young) I appropriated Francie's jealousy on to my own relationship with my mom and younger brother. It was a long, bitter while before I realized what I had been very foolishly doing. But I suppose it does testify to the power of literature and our own inclination to imitate...once again.

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