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see the map that pulled down like a shade. Most of all, she wanted “school supplies” ; a notebook and tablet and a pencil
box with a sliding top filled with new pencils, an eraser, a little tin pencil sharpener made in the shape of a cannon, a pen wider,
and a six-inch, soft wood, yellow ruler.” Smith, 1947:195
b. Being a worker woman
Women are referred to simply as a housewife is a woman who follows her husband. It seems more stable process of social change. Steadiness was
evident from the increasing number of women involved in productive work. Although women have always been put in the category of earner, but in fact the
presence of womenalways supplement the family income is increasingly becoming important in the economic life of the household. Even with that family
welfare will be increased, because of the economic contribution of womens work in the household are not ignored Susanto, 1992: 65.
In the novel A Tree Grows In Brooklyn very clearly shown how mothers Francie rejects that understanding. As a woman, Katie Nolan is also the backbone
of the family. Katie has to work to fulfill all their needs. It is also exemplified by herdaughterFrancie. Francie decides to work to be able to complete their
education. Especially when her father Johnny Nolan was gone, Francie fights her own work until her education is complete.Francie had received an offer to work
on one of her friends that McGarrity as a servant in his house. This can be seen through the following quote:
I talked it over with my Missus, dreamed McGarrity, and she sagreed with me that we could use your girl. No hard work, you
understand, just making the beds and washing a few dishes. I could use the boy downstairs, peeling eggs and cutting cheese
into hunks, you know, for the free lunch at night. He wouldnt be
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anywhere near the bar. Hed work in the back kitchen. It would be for an hour or so after school and half a day on Saturday. Id
pay each two dollars a week. Smith, 1947:413
Francie struggled completing her education in hopes through education that Francie is able to change the lives of her family. Especially when her father,
Johnny Nolan has gone, Francieshouldwork to resolve all struggles. But in the end, Francie is able to reach her dream of becoming a writer. The struggle in
defense of her existence as a woman makes her managed to become what she is now. Her desire to become an educated woman is able to be realized and make a
big difference to the lives of her family.
c. Being a workerwomento achieve a socialist transformation of society
