Ethnic Identity in "Hester Street"

Paper Summary:

This paper summarizes and reviews the film "Hester Street" about Jewish immigrants living in New York City. The paper focuses on the struggles of ethnic identity felt by the main character, Jake. The paper also describes Jake's ways of assimilating into the American culture - by changing the names of both himself and his son and by teaching his son to play baseball. Additionally, the paper compares Jake to another character, Bernstein, who is also an immigrant, and shows how different their ways are of adapting to a new country and culture.

From the Paper:

"Jake has been "pushed into the box" of conformity like many immigrants. He will do anything he can to emulate the image in his mind of a "Yankee." He has some good traits; he works hard and he honestly loves his wife. He's a hard worker because he is a believer in the American dream; through hard work, one can rise from "rags to riches." The very ability of Americans to have this chance to rise up is the very thing that causes the majority of immigration during this period. Jake never tries educating himself, though, which would be a better way to advance in society. He chides Bernstein, his roommate for spending so much time in his "scribblings."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baritz, Loren. "Assaying the Golden Land." The Good Life: The Meaning of Success for the American Middle Class. 1989.
• Cahan, Abraham. Hester Street. Directed by. Joan Micklin Silver. 1975. Viewed 21 Oct. 2003.
• Cahan, Abraham. Yekl: A Tale of the New York Ghetto. D.Appleton and Company, New York. 1896.

More papers on Ethnic Identity in "Hester Street":

• Film Review # 60098 : "Hester Street"
• Analytical Essay # 118497 : "The Bread Givers" and "Hester Street"

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