Author’s Biography
Bruno Lessing (1870 - 1940) was born in the United States, in New
York. His real name was “Rudolph Block” but the won fame as a
short-story writer for magazinesunder the by-line of Bruno Lessing.
He worked first as a news reporter
and later became the editor of the comic supplement of the Hearst newspapers.
His books include the story collections With the Best Intention (1914) and
Children of Men, from which this story is taken. Lessing received high critical
praise for his depictions of Jewish life in New York.
Plot Summary
The story is carried out between two
Americanized young men and their father who insisted on his religion. Not only
because of the powerful conflicts which attract a lot, but also the thoughts
associated with the story. The old-fashioned religious thoughts and the new
thoughts of Americanization crashed here.When the young keep their face smooth,
their dear father tends to wear long beard. Besides, instead of donning the
praying cup and reciting the grace, the sons are ashamed of doing so. However,
what really accounts is not the different behaviors can be seen, but the basic
thought in their mind.The father and sons hold different attitude towards the
old religion. On one hand, Shadrach sticks to the religion. On the other hand,
Abel and Cottlieb believe that the religion is out of date and should be
abolished.
In
the story of The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen, the author described a
Russian immigrant who, at first, was reluctant to be Americanized, succumbed to
the reality later and took possession of his two dear sons’ store which
prospered under his supervision
· Exposition
(beginning)
The exposition or the
beginning of the story is start from the first paragraph in the story “There is
no set rule for the turning of the worm, most worms, however, turn
unexpectedly.” Until the next paragraph, which is “Shadrach came. With him he
brought Marta, the serving woman…household”. It means that, the exposition or
the beginning of the story is start from introducing the Shadrach, his two sons
they are Abel and Gotlieb, and introducing their serving-woman, her name is Marta.
Marta is serving-woman who had nursed his wife until she died. Then, in the
beginning of the story introduce that Shadrach’s sons (Abel and Gotlieb) had
left Russia five years before Shadrach, and then they had opened a store on
Hester Street. After that, Abel and Gotlieb wrote to Shadrach to come to
America. America is the country where Abel and Gotlieb had moved. Then,
Shadrach came, and he brought Marta.
· Rising Action
For the rising action
of the story is start from when the ship landed in America, Shadrach met by his
sons, but Shadrach realize that his sons is changed. It is seen by Abel and
Gotlieb asked to Shadrach to go to a barber who will trim his beard, and they
said that “it makes you look more like an American”. It is like Abel and
Gotlieb are shy to their father. When Shadrach realize that his sons is
changed, it is seen not only like that, but also Abel and Gotlieb didn’t pray
any more when they was having a dinner. At that time, Shadrach is more shocked
because he thought that his sons forgot the God. Then, for rising action is until
Gotlieb asked to Shadrach to learned to speak English and Gotlied told that he
had someone’s very beautiful. Her name is miriam.
· Climax
Climax of the story
is start from when Gotlieb tells that he has a someone special that he loves.
Her name is Shadchen. He tells to his father about the girl. But, Gotlieb
forbid when Shadrach want to meet her, and then he said that “I think, father.
You had better not go just yet. Let us wait a few days until the Sadchen has made
all the arragements,” and Gotlieb emphasize that “She is an American girl”. It
is like Gotlieb was shy to the condition of his father who has a long bread,
and it is like Russian Jewis. Thus, it makes Shadrach is very angry.
· Falling Action
The falling action of
the story is start of Shadrach gazed long and earnestly at his sons. Then,
Sjadrach said that “Tomorrow my sons. You will begin to lead a new life”. It is
like Shadrach want to end his problem with their sons.
· Resolution (Ending)
Resolution of the
story is start from Abel and Gotlieb proud of their father. A new life was
unfolding itself before his eyes, Shadrach become broader-minded, more
tolerant, and above all, more flexible in his tenets. 