Draft Three
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June 22, 2007
Cherry Yin
A Jewish father
Roman conquered the Jew, and scattered them throughout the world. The Jews could live without their land, country, emperor, but they will never abandon their religious beliefs. In the short story- the Americanization of Shadrach Cohen written by Bruno Lessing, the protagonist, Shadrach Cohen, examplifies the Jewish immigrants who are subjected to religious persecution. They departed for the America to find the shelter and make a fortune at the turn into the 20th century, while being regarded as a religious minority in America. Fortunately, Shadrach and his sons had enough money to open a store. However, the conflict between his sons and himself reflects the process how Jewish tradition survives in the trend of Americanization. At last, Shadrach achieved great success in business realm and won respect both from his sons and local business men.
The Jews reveal the strong spirits and tough characteristics when they are given even little chances. This strong will to survive which internalized by their religious beliefs and national destiny helps them to overcome every challenge they meet, especially in the business realm. The Jews really show the talents for operating business, especially the elderly who keep their traditions and ethics. The story tells about a shrewd father who got back his dignity and respect before his children who are trying to persuade him to be a real American. It discusses the question that whether minorities should melt into American society even at the cost of abandoning their religions and make us project to our real life.
From my further reading, the writer intended to tell the readers that it was Shadrach’s virtue --prudence, diligence, tolerance and his practice of religion that won back the respect from his sons. Reviewing the details about Shadrach’s sudden turning of attitude towards his sons which was described as ‘the turning of the worm’ (48) by Lessing, I have a much clearer pictuere about his characters.
“To [Abel and Gottlieb’s] chagrin”(47), Shadrach’s appearance and habits, such as the praying after dinner, kept the same as when he was newly landed in America after a few months. “ He clinged to…his old life with a tenacity that filled [his sons] with despair.”(47) From the passage we see that Shadrach refused the new lifestyle introduced by his sons. I think Abel and Gottlieb have their own reasons to persuade their father to trim his beard while rejecting the grace after meals. It is obvious that Abel and Gottlieb had conflicting emotions toward their father—on the one hand, they esteemed him and daren't disobey his orders; on the other hand, Shadrach's strict clinging to the Jewish habits and customs really agitated and embarrassed his sons. Meanwhile he seemed to [take no interest in their business affairs, but he responded, almost cheerfully, to his son's requests for money](47). In another word, he himself did not intend to overtake the business from his sons. He never lost his temper; never upbraided them. He knew the change happened on his sons, however, as a father, he showed the tolerance for his children. This is a clue for the readers to understand his turning in attitude with a crash. His tolerance for his sons impenetrate through the passage. Even after his sudden turn, he is still willing to embrace his daughter-in-lar who is an American girl. [Joy that beamed in his eyes](50) sells him out.
Shadrach blamed his sons change in value. “What you both lack is sense. If becoming Americanized means becoming stupid, I must congratulate you upon the thoroughness of your work.”(49). He intend to teach them many things; “learned the value of discipline, learned the beauty of filial reverence, learned the severe joy of the earnest life.” No one ever denied Shadrach’s sense as a business men, he blamed his sons’ Americanization as becoming foolish and lazy. He postponed the working hour from six to eight and daren’t his sons suffer from the long working time as a shop assistant. He knew one of the keys to success is being diligent and he was aimed to teach his sons the lesson.
“His was the true money-maker spirit; there was something wonderful in the swiftness with which he grasped the most intricate phases of trade; and where experience failed him some instinct seemed to guide him aright.” I should say that Shadrach’s instinct was caused by his essence as a Jewish who are famous for good sense as a “money-maker”. Their beliefs in God teach them being a candid person, being a piety son of God. The practice of religion inherited from Jewish ancestors guided Shadrach. He knew a nation without land, law and boundaries at least should stick to their religion. Ringlets, praying cap, grace after meals and all the respect behavior to Jehovah makes Jewish recognize their brothers and sisters throughout the world. They are a whole family even scattered in every corner of the world. They embrace people who respect their religion as Shadrach did to Gottlieb’s girlfriend- Miriam. He was previously raged at Gottlieb’s embarrassment to introduce his Jewish-styled father to Miriam.
The ending shows we welcome the consolation that religion brings, and we cling to it as a family. Shadrach Cohen succeeded in not only his business realm but also win his son’s filial reverence.
The only thing that from the very beginning, Jewish religion means the worship of Jehovah, who has chosen Jewish as His children on earth, and that the same Jehovah rules supreme over America. However, the pluralistic ideal in American civic life itself emerges in the struggles of excluded communities to join the mainstream while maintaining their own distinctive qualities, practices, and ways of life. That is why some young people chose to be in an Americanized style. They have to face more pressure than their parents when working or communicating with their peers. Fortunately, in the course of Shadrach Cohen's 'Americanization', Shadrach wisely produced a harmony of the Jewish and American value.
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Work Cited
Bruno Lessing. “The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen” 1903 Rpt. in The International Stor Ruth Spack
