Research report
Never Change the Identity
“The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen” was written by Bruno Lessing takes place in United States in 1903. The story is about Shadrach Cohen and his two sons Abel and Gottlieb. His sons migrate to United States from Russia and open a store. He has been invited by his children’s to move to United States because his sons need financial support for expanding their store. The theme of this story is to be yourself and keep your identity similar even while in different environments.
Religion plays a big role in Shadrach’s life. Although Shadrach has migrated to the United States from Russia and his sons have been completely Americanized but Shadrach still follows his religion and traditions. Shadrach keeps “a long straggling grey beard and ringlets that come down over his ears” (63) just like the newly immigrated “Russian Ghetto” (63). Abel and Gottlieb want to change his appearance because they don’t embarrass themselves with the old ghetto look of their father. They want that their father adapt this new culture and language and forget his old religious culture. Shadrach won’t agree on all this and lose his temper which is the conflict between father and sons.
The main conflict arises when Gottlieb don’t want his father to meet his future wife because of his physical appearance and old views. Shadrach out of anger decides to change himself and become an American. He believes in discipline and respect as he shows that he will not tolerate anyone without respect. This is clearly shown when the worker disregards age and respect while addressing Shadrach. He fires that sales man on the spot by giving him a lesson that “whenever you address a person who is older than you do it respectfully.” (66)
Shadrach takes control of his store and assigns different tasks to Abel and Gottlieb. He doesn’t want that his children become stupid and disrespectful because of Americanization. Shadrach is an experienced man so with in less time the
“The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen” was written by Bruno Lessing takes place in United States in 1903. The story is about Shadrach Cohen and his two sons Abel and Gottlieb. His sons migrate to United States from Russia and open a store. He has been invited by his children’s to move to United States because his sons need financial support for expanding their store. The theme of this story is to be yourself and keep your identity similar even while in different environments.
Religion plays a big role in Shadrach’s life. Although Shadrach has migrated to the United States from Russia and his sons have been completely Americanized but Shadrach still follows his religion and traditions. Shadrach keeps “a long straggling grey beard and ringlets that come down over his ears” (63) just like the newly immigrated “Russian Ghetto” (63). Abel and Gottlieb want to change his appearance because they don’t embarrass themselves with the old ghetto look of their father. They want that their father adapt this new culture and language and forget his old religious culture. Shadrach won’t agree on all this and lose his temper which is the conflict between father and sons.
The main conflict arises when Gottlieb don’t want his father to meet his future wife because of his physical appearance and old views. Shadrach out of anger decides to change himself and become an American. He believes in discipline and respect as he shows that he will not tolerate anyone without respect. This is clearly shown when the worker disregards age and respect while addressing Shadrach. He fires that sales man on the spot by giving him a lesson that “whenever you address a person who is older than you do it respectfully.” (66)
Shadrach takes control of his store and assigns different tasks to Abel and Gottlieb. He doesn’t want that his children become stupid and disrespectful because of Americanization. Shadrach is an experienced man so with in less time the
Cited: Lessing, Bruno. “The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen.” 1903. Rpt. In The International Story: An Anthology with Guidelines for Reading and Writing about Fiction. Ruth Spack. United States. 62-68