The word family could have many different definitions depending on
the person you ask. But, for me family is generations of related people that
are always there for you in time of need. What many need to understand is you
don’t have to be related by blood to be family you can be related by heart.
Family is a term that means a lot to me because my family are the people I choose to surround
myself with that love me for me. My family has always been there for
me and I will always be there for them.
In my life, the essay Stone Soup by Barbara Kingsolver,
and the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith family and the meaning of
family is present. For example in the essay Stone Soup the writer tells the
cold hard truth about families today. The author says, “The sooner we can let
go the fairy tale of families functioning perfectly in isolation, the better we
might embrace the relief of community.” Behind this quote is a very strong
explanation. The writer is trying to tell us that families are not perfect and
we need to stop thinking that you don’t ever need help from someone else. So we
need to realize that sometimes even the most admirable parents need help from
other people such as family and friends. When a family member needs help with
raising a child or needing a home that's what family is there for to help and
support one another. This quote also relates to my life because my family has
gone through some tough times but helping one another and sticking together is
what has made us stronger. Such as, when my grandparents passed away it was a
hard time for all of us but, we were there for one another to offer comfort and
love. Not only was my family there but, friends were too to give
a helping hand with anything my family or I need in that sad time.
Also in the essay Stone
Soup Barbara Kingsolver writes, “To judge a family’s value by its tidy symmetry
is to purchase a book for its cover.” This quote really caught my eye and
intrigued me because it means so much. When I read this quote I couldn’t just
read it once but, had to read it multiple times. The point the author is trying
to put across is don’t judge a family by the way the dress or where they live
or even how much money they have. What shows on the outside is most likely not
what is on the inside. For example someone could be really poor and be a very
sweet, loving, compassionate person but you wouldn’t know that if you judged
them by the clothes on their back or the roof they have over their head. This
same type of theme is evident in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because even though
the Nolans don’t have the nicest clothes or enough money to go to the candy
store every day or for Francie to have a different bow for everyday of the week the Nolans have respect, loyalty, and most importantly they know how
to love. In the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn the author also refers to not
judging a family by the way they look when Katie compares her children to the
McGarrity children. Katie says, “But her children are not as good or smart as
my children. They are mean and greedy towards others because they have things
to taunt poor children with.”(Smith 206). This quote by Smith also shows that
what is present on the outside of people or families is not the same as what
is deep within their hearts. Katie says that the McGarity children are not very
nice children and just because they have money and nice things doesn’t mean
what is inside is the same. So before you judge someone look deep within their
hearts and see what they are actually made of and not what money has made them.
Why is the Nolan family
so loving and supportive? Well I believe that once Johnny died Katie realized
that she has to roles to play as mother and father to her children. Katie
thought life would be easier without Johnny but both Katie and the kids got
used to the feeling of a complete family and, even though Johnny had a
difficult time with supporting and being there for his family he still loved
and cared for them. A quote that Betty Smith wrote that touched my heart was
about Johnny and the line read, “She picked up the flowers- two dozen far red
roses on a sheaf of ferns. She looked at the owner's name on the card but her
own name was on the card. The card said: For Francie on graduation day. Love
Papa" (Smith 351). This is a very emotional time for Francie because
Johnny is gone but, he thought ahead to make sure that Francie knew that she
got recognition for her hard work. This quote adds on to the compassion that
family members have for one another.
In conclusion no matter
what life throws at you, you’ll always have your family there to support and
love you unconditionally.
