Michelle Glenn
LITR 4333
Dr. White
19 April 2001

Generational Differences in Yezierska’s Bread Givers

Anzia Yezierska’s most-taught novel, Bread Givers, "is an extensive observation of relationships in an immigrant family of early 20th century America" (Sample 1). Noticeably, one of the most fascinating qualities of Yezierska’s work is that, though most readers probably come from significantly different backgrounds than that of her characters, she writes in a manner that allows her stories to be discussed in contemporary terms, (Drucker 1) while simultaneously illustrating the immigrant experience. Particularly, this phenomenon can be seen in her portrayal of certain generational conflicts. In Bread Givers, Yezierska depicts the struggle of finding one’s self in life, a notion that all readers are familiar with. Yet, throughout the novel she reveals how this struggle is different for immigrants, as it is complicated by the fact that they must "fight their own wars in finding their place between the Old World from which they have come, and the New World in which they are struggling to survive"

(Sample 1). Perhaps the most intriguing relationship in this novel is that of Reb Smolinsky and his youngest daughter, Sara, as it serves to reveal this generational conflict through tensions over assimilation, such as their perspectives on the American Dream and individualization, and also through their varying expectations in life.

Though most immigrant texts do not tell the whole story of the immigrant experience, generally, every immigrant text discusses one or more of the stages in the immigrant narrative. Yezierska’s novel, Bread Givers, is centered around stage four of the immigrant narrative. This stage is concerned with assimilation to the dominant American culture and loss of ethnic identity. In examining this stage of the immigrant narrative, it is clear that the first and second generation have conflicting views on the topic. Most commonly, the first generation immigrant frowns upon assimilation because they are quite content with living the way that they always have. In contrast, the second generation immigrant has less problems with assimilating. This is quite understandable, as essentially, every generation wakes up in a new world. Therefore, the second generation tends to become more "Americanized." Often, they are coined the "divided" generation, as opposed to the "heroic" first generation who usually resists assimilation altogether.

In Bread Givers, Reb Smolinsky is a "patriarchal father," representing "traditional Jewish ways" (Drucker 1). Throughout the novel, it seems that he encompasses every aspect of a man embedded in traditional culture. In other words, everything that he does is rooted in the past, showing his first generational resistance to assimilation. In his constant refusal to assimilate, Reb Smolinsky becomes a symbolic representation of the Old World. On the other hand, his daughter, Sara Smolinsky has "breathed heavily on the New World’s aura" (Sample 1). Certainly, her actions throughout Bread Givers are consistent with the nature of second generation immigrants in assimilation. The contrast between their views on assimilation is clear as Sara says, "He could never understand. He was the Old World. I was the New" (Yezierska 207).

This generational conflict concerning assimilation is illustrated in two ways, the first of which can be seen in the contrasting perspectives that the characters hold in their views of the American Dream. Reb Smolinsky resists assimilation by not emersing himself in the American work ethic, the idea that people should work hard to achieve their necessary means. This can be seen when his wife questions him about working. In this instance, she says, "Why not earn a better living by what you know, get a job as a Rabbi in a synagogue? Religion is your business" (Yezierska 111). His resistance to assimilation can be seen in his response, as he says, "What! Sell my religion for money? Become a false prophet to the Americanized Jews! No. My religion is not for sale" (Yezierska 111). Clearly, he is meant to live in the Old World, as this mindset is nearly non-existent in America. It seems that Reb lacks an integral part of what is needed for success in the working world, the ability to get out there and actually work. After devastatingly being swindled into buying the grocery store, he comments,

How do you suppose Rockefeller, or Morgan, or any of those millionaires made

their start in America? They all began with empty hands. Their only capital was

hope, courage to work out their ideas. I got a million burning ideas flying through

my head. But I’m cursed with a wife who hangs like stone on my neck- a nag, a

noodnik that blots out my sunshine. (Yezierska 133)

Certainly, the problem is not his wife, rather it is his inability to enact those ideas. Throughout the novel, as can be seen here, Reb constantly refuses to participate in the American Dream. Rather than getting a job to earn his own money, he waits for the expected dividends that he has invested in his daughters’ husbands. Reb hopes that his dreams will come to him, and therefore, does not see the benefit of assimilating and participating in the American Dream.

Sara Smolinsky, realizing the genuine way of achieving dreams, assimilates by participating in the America Dream. Throughout Bread Givers, Sara is constantly working hard for what she wants, a truly American concept. This is evident even at her young age, as Sara is determined to please her mother by bringing in coal. Though she is participating in difficult and embarrassing work, picking through people’s ashes, Sara does not allow herself to return home until "all [her] pail [is] full of coal" (Yezierska 8). Instances such as these, that show her dedication and willingness to work for her family, occur again and again in the text. Another example of her participation in the American Dream occurs when she is nearly ten years old. In this situation, Sara is determined to "go into business like a person," (Yezierska 21) buying the herring from Muhmenkeh to sell. Again, she succeeds at her task, earning twenty-five cents profit from selling the herring. On her way home, Sara rejoices saying, "It began dancing before my eyes, the twenty-five herring that earned me my twenty-five cents. It lifted me in the air, my happiness. I couldn’t help it. It began dancing under my feet. And I couldn’t stop myself" (Yezierska 22-3). Somehow, this event seems to mark a small turning point for Sara because it gives her "a taste of the bettering American spirit" (Sample 2). After further persecution from her father, Sara moves out at age seventeen and begins using this powerful work ethic to profit herself. Living alone, she attends night school and slaving in a stuffy laundry room, she struggles to make ends meet. More and more, Sara seems to represent the American Dream, as she strives helplessly to move up the social ladder. At one point, Sara comments on her determination to be in college, saying, "Wherever I went, in the street, in the subway, by day and night, I had always before my eyes a vision of myself in college, mingling every day with the inspired minds of great professors and educated higher-ups" (Yezierska 184). Indeed, Sara works hard for what she wants and eventually graduates from college. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Sara says,

I, Sara Smolinsky, had done what I had set out to do. I was now a teacher in the

public schools. And this was but the first step in the ladder of my new life. I was

only at the beginning of things. The world outside was so big and vast. Now I’ll

have the leisure and the quiet to go on and on, higher and higher. (Yezierska

241)

Clearly, she has assimilated into the American culture. Though it may seem like all Sara’s work is done at this point, it is evident that her determination and work ethic will not allow her to quit here. Interestingly, the American Dream continues to ring in Sara’s ears, calling her to work harder in order to move to an even higher status and mentality in life.

Another representation of the generational conflict over assimilation can be seen when examining both Reb and Sara Smolinsky’s perspectives on individualization. Reb, a first generation immigrant from a traditional society, is obviously not very fond of individualization. Being from a traditional society, his world always involves other people, such as his family. His dependence on his family is evident throughout the novel, as people like Berel Bernstein comment to Bessie, "your father keeps you only for your wages" (Yezierska 49). He then goes on to say, "This is America," a place "where everybody got to look out for themselves" (Yezierska 49). Clearly, Reb depends on other people to look out for him, allowing himself more time to spend studying the Torah. His perspective on individualization can be seen in his discussion with Sara upon visiting her. In this instance, he says,

Nothing in nature lives by itself alone. Every tree has its little branch. Every

branch has its little flower. . . You’re not a person at all. What do you make from

yourself? Why do you hold yourself better than the whole world? You hide

yourself from people. Never go anywhere. Never see anyone. Who ever heard

of such madness? You’re worse than an animal. Even animals live with one

another. . . You’ll rot away by yourself. (Yezierska 206)

Though he is alone when studying his Torah, Reb appears to have misconceptions about individualization, considering it to be negative. He simply can not understand his daughter’s mentality, that "to marry [herself] to a man that’s a person, [she] must first make [herself] for a person" (Yezierska 172). Not understanding the importance of this concept, Reb refuses to assimilate by transferring the individualization that he savors when reading the Torah to the other aspects of his life. It seems that, besides his studying, Reb can not be alone at all. This is apparent as he quickly runs to Mrs. Fenstein’s arms after his wife’s recent death. When justifying this to Sara, he says, "You know I can’t remain alone. And I can’t live with any of you children, because none of you are religious enough. I have to have my own house and someone to take care of me" (Yezierska 259). This statement proves his resistance to assimilation because it shows his refusal to do anything on his own, a truly un-American concept. Being that America is a revolutionary culture, its people pride themselves in their extreme individualization. Therefore, when considering America’s embracement of individualization, Reb does not seem to fit into American society very well.

On the other hand, Sara Smolinsky is quite the opposite of her father in this aspect. At age seventeen, she can stand her father’s persecution no longer. Upon leaving, she tells him, "My will is as strong as yours. I’m going to live my own life. Nobody can stop me. I’m not from the old country. I’m American!" (Yezierska 138). When sprinting out the door, Sara comments, "The Old World had struck its last on me" (Yezierska 138). In this situation, it seems that Sara recognizes that in order to become a person, you must get out of your family space and get your own. In order to become Americanized, Sara gives up her family and her culture, (Drucker 1) solely relying on herself. While eating at a bakery, Sara remarks, "As I sat there, in the stillness of the morning, I realized that I had yet never been alone since I was born. This was the first time I ate by myself, with silence and stillness for my company" (Yezierska 156). This is not an uncommon notion after being raised in a traditional cultural setting. Yet, Sara enjoys being alone and becomes more and more used to the idea throughout her journey of self-improvement. Sara’s perspective on individualization can be seen as she says, "If it will not kill you, it will be the making of you. All great people have to be alone to work out their greatness" (Yezierska 186). Certainly, this is the notion that most Americans have of individuality. Constantly, in America, there is a push to be self-sufficient and to work hard in hopes of creating a better future for yourself. Undoubtedly, this is exactly what Sara is doing. Her determination in achieving her goals never lets up, despite periodic discouragement. At one point, Sara says, "I had to fight for my living, fight for every bit of my education" (Yezierska 218). Though she may be struggling to survive alone, she is accomplishing her goals by single-handedly striving to better her personal situation, guaranteeing herself a better future (Sample 2). Even after graduation and successful acquisition of a teaching position, Sara remains individualized. In describing her celebration, she says, "I celebrated alone with myself. I celebrated it in my room, my first clean, empty room" (Yezierska 241).

As the end of Bread Givers serves to demonstrate, Sara does not remain alone the rest of her life. As she told her mother in the beginning, after making herself a person, Sara eventually becomes more attached to people like Hugo Seeling and once again, even her father. Still maintaining her individuality, the very last sentence of the novel illustrates her consciousness of her family and her past still bearing on her. In this instance, she states, "It wasn’t just my father, but the generations who made my father whose weight were still upon me" (Yezierska 297). Though it is clear that Sara has assimilated in terms of the individualization of the American culture, it is also clear that, at some point, she experiences a partial rediscovery of her ethnic identity. Perhaps, this is due to her return to Hester Street, essentially her homeland. In any case, her individuality remains great, yet, the traditional aspect of her life is also a small part of her. Thus, this serves to show the "divided" nature of the second generation immigrant in terms of assimilation.

Just as is the case with assimilation, there is generational conflict concerning expectations in life. In Bread Givers, this conflict centers around what both Reb and Sara Smolinsky do with their determination. It is very clear that both characters share a certain determination, but each uses their determination in a very different way. Upon journeying to America, Reb denies his wife the right to bring her feather beds so that there will be room for his holy books, which he claims to be the "light of the world" (Yezierska 9). Throughout the novel, it is clear that Reb’s life is centered around the Torah. The determination, which he certainly possesses, only shines through in his studying of the Torah. At one point, Reb’s wife says, "If he was only so fit for this world, like he is fit for Heaven, then I wouldn’t have to dry out the marrow from my head worrying for the rent" (Yezierska 16). From this statement, the reader can assert that Reb’s determination in studying the Torah is paying off. Evidently, he is very good at what he does. Yet, he does not transfer this same determination and knowledge over to the rest of his life. Reb believes that "Big men grow wise from their mistakes" (Yezierska 126). However, as his wife states, "[He] never learn[s] better. [He] only learn[s] to be a worse fool" (Yezierska 123). It appears that Reb is blinded by his devotion to the Torah, "missing the earthly consequences of this devotion on his family" (Sample 2). He views the Torah as being separate from his life, rather than being a part of it. Therefore, Reb’s expectations in life seem very minimal, as he only wishes to concentrate his determination on the Torah, ignoring all other aspects of his life.

Sara Smolinsky sets much higher expectations for herself. Perhaps this is because she is a second generation immigrant, and therefore, is more in tune with the demands of the American culture. Not only does Sara expect to escape from her father’s preaching, she also expects to survive on her own, gain an education, achieve status, and marry on her own terms. It seems that she has established her goals early on, as she says, "I’d want an American-born man who was his own boss. And would let me be my boss. And no fathers, and no mothers, and no sweatshops, and no herring" (Yezierska 66). At this point, her expectations seem unreachable. Yet, she uses her determination in order to reach them. She too, like her father, loves to learn. This is evident as she says, "Nothing was so beautiful as to learn, to know, to master by the sheer force of my will even the dead squares and triangles of geometry" (Yezierska 201). Interestingly, unlike her father, Sara does learn from her mistakes. In one instance, she remarks, "Each time, after making a crazy fool of myself over a man, I was plunged into thick darkness that seemed the end of everything, but it really led me out into the beginnings of wider places, newer light" (Yezierska 231). Each time that Sara encounters a situation such as this one, she uses it to teach her something new about life. Unquestionably, her expectations exceed her father’s, as she continually strives to attain knowledge in various aspects of her life. Sara’s unique personality allows her to use her determination to achieve these numerous goals, as opposed to her father’s one goal, and succeed in life on a much higher level.

Anzia Yezierska’s novel, Bread Givers, is "an essential book for any student of 20th century American Literature. Yezierska poignantly captures the multitude of feelings and obstacles any immigrant must face in the struggle to find where he/she fits in: the Old World or the New" ("Bread Givers" 2). One of the most delightful characteristics of Yezierska’s work is that readers are often able to relate to her writing, despite the fact that very few have had the actual immigrant experience. In Bread Givers, Yezierska depicts the struggle of finding one’s self in life, a concept that all readers can relate to. Yet, throughout the novel she illustrates the difficulty of this process for immigrants, as it is complicated by the fact that they must struggle to survive while trying to determine where they fit into life, in terms of the Old World or the New World. Even further complicating things, generational factors also contribute to this process. In Bread Givers, it seems that the most engaging relationship is that of Reb Smolinsky and Sara Smolinsky, as it serves to demonstrate this generational conflict through tensions over assimilation, such as their views on the American Dream and individualization, and also their varying expectations in life.

Works Cited

Drucker, Sally Ann. "Anzia Yezierska (1881?-1970)." America Online. 12 April 2001.

"Sample_Essay_on_Yezierska." America Online. 10 April 2001.

Yezierska, Anzia. Bread Givers. New York: Persea Books, 1975.