Fiddler on the Roof

Act I

Reading Check

1. “Tradition” (Act I, Prologue)

2. For reading (Act I, Scene 1)

3. From eagerness to being content to wait (Act I, Scene 1)

4. That all the Jews were evicted from a nearby village (Act I, Scene 2)

5. That they will have “a little unofficial demonstration” (Act I, Scene 5)

6. A book (Act I, Scene 8)

7. Because Tevye “shamed [him]” (Act I, Scene 10)

8. Asks Hodel to dance (Act I, Scene 10)

Short Answer

1. The “Papa” is responsible for being the “master of the house” as well as the breadwinner, the “Mama” is responsible for keeping a “proper” and “kosher home” in line with Jewish teachings, sons are sent to Hebrew school until a wife is selected for them, and daughters are taught the skills required for their future marriage. (Act I, Prologue)

2. Yente, the village matchmaker, informs Golde that the butcher, Lazar Wolf, is interested in marrying her eldest daughter, Tzeitel. Golde is pleased because of his wealth, but she is worried about Tevye’s reaction.