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Assimilation In Anzia Yezierska's Bread Givers

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Assimilation is a recurring theme in Anzia Yezierska's novel Bread Givers. Bread Givers, while emphasizing the importance of developing an American identity, exemplifies America's allure for Jewish children who come here and have their lives drastically altered. Sara Smolinsky, a little girl, is the protagonist of the novel. In the story, she grows up in an impoverished family with an obstinate and mentally abusive father. Fania, Mashah, and Bessie are her three sisters. Sara starts out by watching as her father destroys the dreams of her three elder sisters and sets them up in terrible marriages. Sara objects when he tries the same with her. In rebellion, she leaves her family’s home in order to work and pay for her school. Despite being …show more content…

Sara and her family are going through this assimilation process because they believe they will be welcomed by society and adopt American identities. For immigrants’ transitions, and Sara in particular, a reality of independence is strongly desired. She seeks to become independent of her family and her cultural background because she believes that independence is a sign of authenticity and originality. This process is a combination of self-creation and Americanization. English language skills and a method of education are also critical components of cultural assimilation. Simultaneously, mastering these American cultural skills by immigrants and their offspring leads to better jobs and, thus, greater earnings. Bread Givers places a lot of emphasis on language acquisition since being proficient in English is regarded as proof of Americanization. For most of the novel, Sara Smolinsky struggles to achieve the best education possible in order to depart from her parents’ way of …show more content…

Reb went to America with his family of six during a mass migration from Russia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Reb's assimilation was a more difficult journey due to his unfamiliarity with English and the customs of the United States. Reb faced more obstacles in his journey to assimilation than Sara Smolinsky, as he had a language barrier and had to navigate new customs while adjusting to his new home. Reb maintained his Jewish practices even when in America. Sara didn't appear to appreciate it because it distracted Reb from making money, leaving it to the rest of the family. Despite the hardships, Reb's deep conviction in Judaism and determination to persevere without working eventually led to his failure to assimilate into his new life. In the midst of great struggle and injustice, he embraced his faith, thinking that it was an essential element of his identity. In the end Sara has the weight of her fathers life on her shoulders, she knows if she has him live with her that she will need to participate in his stringent

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This story is exactly what Julia Alvarez went through. It’s her life story. In the book Yolanda plays Julia’s role. The story relates accurately to how the family struggled having to adapt to the American culture. “As the only immigrant in my class, I was put in a special seat in the front row by the window, apart from the other children so that sister Zoe could tutor me without disturbing them” (“How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” 166).

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Sara says, "I remember once asking my dad if he felt like he belonged in America. He said he didn't know. He said he always felt like an outsider, like he was always observing but never really participating" (Saedi 4). This demonstrates how difficult cultural assimilation can be for some people, particularly those who have strong ties to their cultural heritage. Sara's father's experience demonstrates how cultural assimilation is a difficult process, with individuals facing unique challenges based on their cultural background and personal

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