- What is Yezierska’s initial impression of America? How does she compare it to her life in Russia?
Yezierska’s impression of America like most people believe that it is the land of opportunities and a new beginning. “Here I was to be free from the dead drudgery for bread that held me down in Russia” (54). She compares her new “life” in America as a creator, human being and being able to express herself.
- What does she aspire to do when she first arrives in America? What must she do first?
Anzia states that the first thing she would do is to find her “work” which would be self expression. She would be able to express herself unlike in Russia where she was oppressed.
- Do you think her “Americanized family” treats her fairly? Why or why not?
I don’t think her Americanized family treats her fairly. They believed themselves to be on a higher class as Anzia and looked down on her when she asked about her wages. They told her she should be grateful that they allow her to be associated with them “Americans” and by living with them she would learn to be civilized and learn how to fit in America.
- What was the best part of her second job on Delancey Street? Why did she end up losing it?
The best part about Anzia’s second job is that she knew what her wages was, how much she earned and what her hours were. She ended up losing the job when she got fed up of staying over time for a cup of tea or a slice of bread with herring. She spoke out for herself to her boss saying she didn’t care about the food but just wanted her free time. Her boss said she was already learning too much of America and that she didn’t need Anzia working for her.
- What kind of work does Anzia prefer to do? What is stopping her?
Anzia prefers to work in a factory and be a trained worker. What’s stopping her is she still didn’t know what she really wanted in America. Was it to become more American? The whole reason she came to America was to also express her thoughts and herself, but she was constantly working and the only thing she was expressing was with her hands all day.
- Do you agree with the author’s argument that immigrants should receive free room and board? Why or why not?
I somewhat believe in the author’s argument. There are many immigrants coming to America for opportunities but all they do is work to survive and in reality don’t have much choice in what they do. Of course there are those immigrants that would just come to America for the free room and board, but there are far more immigrants that are struggling making enough to support themselves and their families. Those are the hard working immigrants that I feel should be rewarded and have access to guidance.
- What lessons did she learn from the Pilgrims? How did this knowledge transform her idea of what it takes to succeed in America? Do you agree with her assessment?
Anzia learned that like the Pilgrims she left her mother country and came to an unknown land. The difference is that the Pilgrims had no expectations of this new land they discovered, but they were expecting to go with it and create their own world within the new place. Anzia came to America hoping to be accepted when the country still continues to grow and develop as different immigrants come and go. She realized that she like many others have the opportunities to shape it in her own way. I agree with her, the entire time she was too focused on being accepted by people that were also not sure what they wanted out of America. She soon realizes that every day in America, she has the power to alter and adjust to it.
- How does the author utilize the concepts of “hunger” and “appetite” to bring out her thesis?
The author uses “hunger” and “appetite” as her way of expressing how desperate she was in wanting to being accepted by “Americanized” people around her. It can also be expressed as something that can be satisfied temporarily, and will always come back to haunt you when the time comes.
