Plot summary

The trials and tribulations within the poor Nolan family--parents Katie and Johnny and their two preteen children Francie and Neeley--living in Brooklyn in the early 20th century are presented. From Katie's perspective, their problems are exacerbated by two people. One is her older sister Sissy, whom she feels is a bad influence on her children; she is determined that they will make something of their lives despite their poverty. The other, and arguably more direct and severe problem, is Johnny. Johnny works only sporadically as a singing waiter, mostly at special functions. Beyond the sporadic nature of the work, a large reason for Johnny's frequent unemployment is that he is an alcoholic, so Katie must do much of the heavy lifting to bring money into their home. Katie knew that Johnny would not be a stable provider when she married him after succumbing to his good-hearted nature that attracts people to him; but she comes to wonder if she and the children would be better off without him. Johnny and their firstborn, Francie, have a special relationship; she adores her papa as he constantly feeds into her pipe dreams, fueling them by stating that an impresario will eventually discover him at one of his singing-waiter jobs. Although she loves her mother and follows her directions, Francie receiving this constant support from her father places her at odds with her mother, who must play the bad cop to Johnny's good cop.—Huggo