The Learning Tree Summary and Conclusion

Upon the opening of this novel, we are suddenly immersed into the life of an adolescent, Newt Winger, as he struggles to understand and accept the bitter challenges of his world. Newt lives in Cherokee Flats, Kansas, during the
1920’s. He lives in a time period that does not accept differences, even such as different color of skin.

The book is based around Newt, a African-American boy who is coming of age. Like most boys his age he sometimes engages in foolish and sometimes dangerous
behavior that gets him into trouble at times. Newt is not too overly compassionate or spiteful; instead he is portrayed as being only human. His problems as a teenager make him a more interesting character for people to
relate to. His experiences are a harsh reminder to us living in a much better time. An African-American with high aspirations in an age when segregation ruled, Newt’s experiences with racism, love, and loss help him to develop into a mature individual. But Newt’s morality w...