Jews Without Money

Mike and his family struggle to deal with the impact of Esther’s death. His once-outgoing mother becomes increasingly insular. Her overwhelming grief means that Herman must overcome his injury and take responsibility in the household, but he struggles to find any work. Their neighbors provide support, but eventually the family is forced to overcome their pride and apply to the Christian charities for support. However, Herman rudely berates the official, and no support arrives. Eventually, a neighbor calls and suggests that Herman sell bananas from a pushcart. Herman is too proud to take up the offer and chases the neighbor away. Within two weeks, however, Herman begins selling bananas from a pushcart. Mike feels guilty about his father’s struggle to sell, so he helps out at the pushcart. Even Mike’s help does not result in many sales, so they push the cart home. Herman makes his son promise that, one day, he will be rich and successful. Mike makes the promise but feels as though his words are empty.

By the time Mike is 12 years old, he carries in his mind “a morbid load of responsibility” (303). He does well in school, and his parents still believe that, one day, he will become a doctor.