THE STREET by ANN PETRY

Professionals say our environment is a major part of what we become later in life. Lutie Johnson didn't need a psychologist or social worker to tell her these words. Deep down in her heart she knew 116th street would never make her. It could only break her. Everyday her constant thought is how to get away from the street
 before it's destructive powers destroyed her little boy, Bub. Sadly, her environment is a major battle she can never win. I learned that no matter how hard I try to remove myself from a thing, a person or a place I won't always be the victor. The sad truth is there are times when I will become the conquered and not the conqueror. Ann Petry's The Street is a strong novel. She pulls no punches. She writes about racism, poverty and the cruelty of the human heart. After closing her novel, I discovered life isn't for the weak. Life is for the strong. Without human strength the street will follow you wherever you go.artistpages/petryAnn

"And as the train roared into the darkness, Lutie tried to figure out by what twists and turns of fate she had landed on this train. Her mind balked at the task. All she could think was,  It was that street.  It was that______street."