The influence of family members on the life of Francie NolanThe protagonist of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is certainly the brilliant and enterprising Francie Nolan, however, three other characters in the novel deserve credit for guiding Francie through her troubled childhood. Francie Nolan grows up in the slums of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the early 1900s. Despite Francie's lifestyle of poverty and anguish, she manages to hold several respectable jobs, attend college, and fall in love. Although Francie works hard, she would not have been able to survive without the encouragement and support of Johnny Nolan, Sissy Rommely and Katie Nolan. Francie's father, Johnny Nolan, is a loving man who always supports and entertains his only daughter. However, Johnny Nolan is a useless dreamer, constantly telling stories about a better life, but instead of turning his dreams into reality, he resorts to drinking to escape the stress. Although Francie hates her father's constant drinking, his loving charm wins her heart. Francie enjoys listening to Johnny's exciting chatter late at night after a hard day at work. Many nights he confides in Francie and makes promises he can't keep, like: “I'll take you on a trip, just you and me. We'll go south where the cotton flowers grow" (24). Although Francie knows that Johnny will not be able to keep these promises, she admires her father for trying to bring happiness into her life. In Francie's mind Johnny is the only family member who truly understands her as a person. Johnny knows that Francie has the determination and intelligence to do something in life. Because of his great trust in Francie, he allows Francie to attend an elementary school.... Katie firmly believes that school is her children's only escape from poverty. She is not embarrassed that Francie's knowledge surpasses hers, instead she pushes her daughter to work harder to ensure Francie is accepted. Katie Nolan is the heart and soul of the Nolan family and without her Francie would not have become an intelligent and hardworking young woman. On the last page of the novel the author writes about a tree leaves had curled around fire escapes and clotheslines, the tree that survives without much food or care, that tree lived and could not be destroyed” (430). Like the tree, Francie also lives. Johnny's support, Sissy's education and Katie's dedication allow Francie to become, just like the tree she once fought, indestructible..