A Sweatshop Romance Analysis

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Abraham Cahans, A Sweatshop Romance, can be easily mistaken for a simple piece of work because it is a short story. By taking a closer look it is clear that this story explores many of the fundamental flaws of society. Abraham Cahan was Jewish, and immigrated to New York at the age of twenty-two with four cents in his pocket. He is now worth more than two million dollars and is recognized as one of the two or three leading men in the cloak-and-suit trade in the United States. This profound piece of American Literature was written by a man who was at that time, at least, considered to be of an ethnic minority. Throughout it we see the decisions the characters make are vital to the outcomes of their lives. Three young people; two of these Beile …show more content…

The theme wants us to take pride in the idea that we should defend our morals at all costs and believe whole heartedly in what we know is right while not letting anyone mistreat us is a key aspect of this piece. Cahan hints on not letting oneself be intimidated by inexcusable behavior in an attempt to keep things smooth and to keep from causing any issues. In the story he presents the need for personal pride very clearly. It grabs the reader at the heart, showing how important it is for a person to stand up for what they believe in, and in this case to not allow oneself to be crushed in the name of a paycheck. A persons ideals reach beyond the needs of the flesh, and those who have been there when it is hard, unwilling to sacrifice their morals to the enemy have been idolized. Unlike those who give in while they are trampled upon they blend into the forgotten mass of society. In “A Sweatshop Romance,” David tells Beile she should stand up for herself and for what she knows is right, the writer forces us to see how things are meant to be and how they should be. If we are to vigilant in protecting our moral fiber we end up like Heyman, who, when it came down to it , “nervously grated his teeth and shut his eyes, awaiting still more painful developments.” This is made solid by the story’s happy ending given to David and Beile,