English 48B
Abraham Cahan
1/28/09
"It was anything but the world of intellectual and physical elegance into which she had dreamed to be introduced by marriage to a doctor."
This quote conveys the theme of "Americanization", and how it is often mor
e desirable in theory, than in actuality. Flora has just married, and is excited to live the life of an American woman married to a Doctor, and be able to explore the scholastic life she has always dreamed of. Throughout the story, Flora is constantly thinking highly of herself, and percieves herself as more of an intellect than she actually is. Subconsciously, she is aware that her perception of herself is all fantasy, and that is why she yearns for a doctor husband, to help make her fantasy come true. When she finally marries her doctor, when she receives her granted wish, she finds that she is intimidated by its entire aspect. It is apparent throughout the text that Flora is clueless as to what "high class intellects are", for she reads books such as "Fireside Companion", which is described as "cheap reprints of popular books." When she convinces her husband to yearn for the lifestyle she dreams, he gives it to her, and she finds herself regretting her dream. Flora manipulates her way towards what she wished for, and it comes right back to her. The story can be seen as a lesson of morals, and how selfish intentions will not lead a person to the path they yearn for.
The reason I chose
this quote, is it summarizes the theme of "Americanization", but also displays the idea that America is not always the "dream land" immigrants thought it to be. For example, Flora and Asriel live in the New York Ghetto, with other Jews. While they are tyring to assimilate, they are still surrounded by people in the exact same position as they are. America was thought of being a place where people could better their lives, and was a "melting pot", but the luxuriouss lifestyle is not always so attainable. Flora lived a wealthy life with her Father, a more Orthodox Jew, whom she constantly was differing in thinking with. She was born in America, so she was not raised to be an orthodox Jew. When she left the more "Non-American" way, she found herself more lost. She convinced herself that she didn't care about money, and that she would be more than content to marry a doctor and discuss books all day, but when the chance forced itself upon her, it is apparent that she had no clue as to what she was wishing for. I think that Abraham Cahan wrote this story to show how in actuality
"Americanization" was perceived as, and that assimilating isn't always for th better. Many Jews were fleeing to America at the time, and I believe her wrote it is almost a warning for them. Flora was given a luxurious lifestyle with her Father, and while she mocked his Jewish ways and refused to be part of them, he provided her a much happier lifestyle than her now American husband was going to.
This quote conveys the theme of "Americanization", and how it is often mor
e desirable in theory, than in actuality. Flora has just married, and is excited to live the life of an American woman married to a Doctor, and be able to explore the scholastic life she has always dreamed of. Throughout the story, Flora is constantly thinking highly of herself, and percieves herself as more of an intellect than she actually is. Subconsciously, she is aware that her perception of herself is all fantasy, and that is why she yearns for a doctor husband, to help make her fantasy come true. When she finally marries her doctor, when she receives her granted wish, she finds that she is intimidated by its entire aspect. It is apparent throughout the text that Flora is clueless as to what "high class intellects are", for she reads books such as "Fireside Companion", which is described as "cheap reprints of popular books." When she convinces her husband to yearn for the lifestyle she dreams, he gives it to her, and she finds herself regretting her dream. Flora manipulates her way towards what she wished for, and it comes right back to her. The story can be seen as a lesson of morals, and how selfish intentions will not lead a person to the path they yearn for.The reason I chose
this quote, is it summarizes the theme of "Americanization", but also displays the idea that America is not always the "dream land" immigrants thought it to be. For example, Flora and Asriel live in the New York Ghetto, with other Jews. While they are tyring to assimilate, they are still surrounded by people in the exact same position as they are. America was thought of being a place where people could better their lives, and was a "melting pot", but the luxuriouss lifestyle is not always so attainable. Flora lived a wealthy life with her Father, a more Orthodox Jew, whom she constantly was differing in thinking with. She was born in America, so she was not raised to be an orthodox Jew. When she left the more "Non-American" way, she found herself more lost. She convinced herself that she didn't care about money, and that she would be more than content to marry a doctor and discuss books all day, but when the chance forced itself upon her, it is apparent that she had no clue as to what she was wishing for. I think that Abraham Cahan wrote this story to show how in actuality"Americanization" was perceived as, and that assimilating isn't always for th better. Many Jews were fleeing to America at the time, and I believe her wrote it is almost a warning for them. Flora was given a luxurious lifestyle with her Father, and while she mocked his Jewish ways and refused to be part of them, he provided her a much happier lifestyle than her now American husband was going to.
20/20 Great job finding powerful immigrant photos!
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