Who in their life hasn't done something they later wished they could take back? Maybe you said something you wish you hadn't, but you know once it’s been said there is nothing you can do to change it. Once something has been done for others to see we can only do minor things to reduce the regret and live in sorrow.
In the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Francie and those around her face regret throughout the book. Francie's mother, Katie Nolan, regrets how her love for her son, Neely, is much stronger than her love for Francie. Katie loves her daughter out of pity, and regrets that she can't feel the same love she feels for Francie as she does for Neely. Francie was the best writer in her class, but Katie never took the time to read anything Francie wrote. Eventually Katie apologizes that she never read any of Francie's compositions. Johnny, Katie's husband, is very repentant because he is addicted to alcohol and uses the money from his tips for alcohol and not to support his family. The owner of the saloon that Johnny works at, Mr. McGarrity is remorseful because Mr. McGarrity does not love his own wife and children. Mr. McGarrity hopes that someday his wife, Mae, will come to him and say that their children are not his. Whenever Johnny talks to Mr. McGarrity about Johnny's children, Mr. McGarrity pretends that the achievements of Johnny's children are actually things Mr. McGarrity's own children have done. After Johnny dies, Mr. McGarrity hires Johnny's children, Neely and Francie, to talk to him.
Being regretful is not something we want to feel, but should when you know that what you have done is not right. Regret is a part of life, and something we must all live with. When you apologize it can help make the person you hurt, and yourself, feel better, but can never change the things you have done.
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