Children Quote by Betty Smith
““MOST CHILDREN BROUGHT UP IN BROOKLYN BEFORE THE FIRST World War remember Thanksgiving Day there with a peculiar tenderness. It was the day children went around “ragamuffin” or “slamming gates,” wearing costumes topped off by a penny mask. Francie””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943
Children in early 20th‑century Brooklyn cherished Thanksgiving with playful, modest costumes, reflecting community spirit and innocence.
In simple terms: Kids celebrated Thanksgiving with simple, heartfelt traditions.
Key Takeaway
Embrace simple traditions that foster community.
Themes
nostalgia
community
childhood
tradition
Mood
warm
reflective
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- holiday celebrations
- urban childhood
- cultural heritage
Key Concepts
cultural memory
social rituals
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we revive modest, communal holiday traditions?
- What values do such rituals teach children?
A Different Perspective
Modern celebrations may lack the same modesty and communal intimacy.
