America and I

The author has been called melodramatic, using overwrought language to emphasize her passion and her plight. Others believe her emotional style helps immerse readers in her immigrant world. How would you describe her style? Is it effective for her purpose? 

Look at some of the conflicts in Yezierska’s writing—old versus new, expectation versus reality, traditional religion versus New World opportunity, the drudgery of factory work versus emotional expression. How do these contrasts help you understand the journey of the immigrant and highlight Yezierska’s inner life? 

Trace the development of metaphor in Yezierska’s essay. How does she use similes and other comparisons to add to the emotional impact of her words? Use some specific examples.

One of the motifs that Yezierska draws upon often is that of light versus dark. Analyze the way she uses these opposing elements to deepen her narrative.

The author has been called “Cinderella of the Tenements” and other similar nicknames, all designed to focus upon her brief, fairy-tale rise in American culture. Investigate her biography and her accomplishments. Is she an example of the American dream? Why or why not?