America and I

Anzia Yezierska introduces her immigration story by outlining why she came to America—to find hope, romance, and freedom to express herself. When she arrives, she says her body is strong and her “heart and soul pregnant with the unlived lives of generations clamoring for expression” (Paragraph 4). This is not to be, at least immediately. She needs money but cannot find work in factories, so her only options are to work in a kitchen or to act as nanny and housekeeper for an Americanized family from the same village of origin as hers.

When she asks about wages, though, the family is cold. The man preaches that she should not “be so grabbing for wages” (Paragraph 13); she should instead be grateful to associate with his family. The woman tells her that this will be like a vacation with her two lovely children and that Anzia can learn to become civilized like they are. Anzia feels she is with friends, so she pushes wages out of her mind and decides to trust them.

She says, “The best of me I gave them” (Paragraph 16); she works hard early till late, but is never tired because she is grateful to mingle with Americans and learn English from the children, grocer, and anyone who will help her.