A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Neeley is Francie’s “amiable” little brother, who was born strong and healthy and is his mother’s favorite. Even as Neeley grows up, he continues to appear to be “all innocence and trust” (202). While he sometimes acts mean, he always does so in an attempt to secure his masculinity and is never genuinely evil. He has the same open heart and love for music as his father, Johnny. 

Francie and Neeley’s mother, Katie, is a beautiful, dark-haired janitress who works hard to support her children and alcoholic husband. While Katie is “afraid of being openly sentimental” (477) she shows her love for her family through her hard work and endless sacrifice. Even though her husband turns out to be an alcoholic, she stands by him until the end of his life, providing a constant source of comfort and common sense.

She is always referred to as a “good woman,” but as Johnny loses himself to alcoholism, Katie loses some of her gentleness and replaces it with sternness. Katie becomes known as “not one to get in a fight with” (262), and she proves her toughness when she shoots Francie’s molester. While Katie always strives for the best for her family, her biggest downfalls are her preference for Neeley over Francie and her consuming fear of shame over her family’s low social standing.

Johnny Nolan is the handsome alcoholic father of Francie and Neeley. He has “blond curly hair and deep blue eyes” (58). While he is regarded as morally weak, he is “loved” by those around him, especially Francie (34).

The descendant of poor, uneducated Irish immigrants, Johnny grew up with a passion for singing that was quickly crushed by his family’s need for income. His father died when he was 12, at which point Johnny became the source of his family’s income. Outwardly he appears “gay and young and handsome,” but inside admits he is “not a happy man” and “never wanted a family” (34-35).

Aunt Sissy is Katie’s oldest sister. She has been married three times, lost 10 children, and works in a rubber factory. She is completely uneducated but makes up for lack of knowledge with her wit and fun-loving style. Even though she is referred to as “bad,” she is Francie’s favorite aunt. Sissy’s impetuousness and flirtatiousness often get her and the Nolans into trouble, but other than a short period when Katie would have nothing to do with her, Sissy has a vivid presence in the Nolans’ lives, often making up for Johnny’s failings to help them out.

Aunt Evy is Katie’s sister who is married to whiny Uncle Flittman. She is fun and humorous. According to Francie, “(n)o one could tell a story like Aunt Evy” (240). She is a source of both help and humor throughout the novel. 

Sergeant Michael McShane is introduced as an imposing, handsome figure in uniform. He is known as the Honest Cop, and for most of the story he is married to a sickly but absent wife who can’t seem to conceive healthy children for him. He is a measured and hard-working man who eventually marries Katie and becomes a father for her baby with Johnny, Annie Laurie.