MovieChat Forums > A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Discussion > Marriage proposal?

Marriage proposal?

posted 15 years ago by greendimension
6 replies | jump to latest

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was a bit odd for Officer McShane to come out and propose marriage, since his scenes were few and rare.

"just panties, what else do I need?"

Poseidon Adventure

[–] tmaj48 15 years ago

The movie telescoped the events of the book, which chronicles Francie's
first sixteen years, into about one year. McShane and Katie had their eyes
on each other from afar for quite some time, but neither would ever dare to approach each other, let alone cheat on their respective spouses. McShane
was trapped in a loveless marriage, staying only out of obligation to his
ailing wife (they'd had a total of thirteen children, but only two or three
survived). After the deaths of Johnny and McShane's wife, McShane finally
broached the subject of marriage with Katie.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

[–] bess654 15 years ago

In the book,even the minor characters were given a voice which gave the reader much more insight than the movie.Given time contraints,this is almost never happens in movie versions of great books.So many characters and events are just obliterated.Sad.

[–] TheLionKingKong 11 years ago

Yeah they should've made it more obvious that McShane was attracted to Katie. That's how it was in the book and it was no surprise there that he proposes to her. But in the movie, it's unexpected because we don't see much of his attraction.

[–] hka-3 12 years ago

I guess because I'm a big Lloyd Nolan fan I noticed every moment he was interacting with the family before the marriage proposal. It seemed like he was acquainted enough with them to propose the courtship and potential marriage to Katie.

Mele Kalikimaka

[–] Miinerva 11 years ago

I noticed every moment

Yeah it was pretty easy to see. The Irish at that time really didn't date. They just make relationships and that's pretty much it. So his formal proposal was sincire but somewhat businesslike.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

Miinerva says > Yeah it was pretty easy to see.

McShane took an interest in Katie long before Johnny died. At the time they were both married to other people so he was respectful. It was very subtle, he came around a little more often than he should and he went out of his way to help her; it was little things like that. Though it was subtle, Katie seemed to notice and tried to discourage him.

The Irish at that time really didn't date. They just make relationships and that's pretty much it. So his formal proposal was sincire but somewhat businesslike.

In a lot of cultures, even today, a couple forms the intention to marry first, then they spend quality time together getting to know one another; usually in the company of their families. If all goes well, they marry soon after; otherwise they go their separate ways.

Dating, as we know it in this culture, is very different. It has more to do with having fun together. Both parties usually put their best foot forward and conceal for as long as possible important things about their lives. Most people go on a series of dates with no real long-term purpose in mind.

Marriage is rarely discussed as it is not the primary goal until, perhaps, the couple 'falls in love'. These days, 'fall in love' is code for being sexually compatible; that's often the only thing that concerns most modern couples and the only thing they really can say they know about each other.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]