Vocabulary
mishpuchah (307): Yiddish for the entire family of relatives related by blood or by marriage, sometimes including friends; also called mishpachah
exculpating (312): clearing from a charge of guilt or fault, vindicating
Three Appeals
"As we walked up the concretet steps toward her she smiled broadly, exposing even rows of teeth" (318). This is a fact, a logical appeal, but Mendelsohn uses this statement as well as other descriptions to put us in his place as he is welcomed into the Reinharz's home. I thought the placement and depth of description was well done.
"'People in Bolechow take me for a rich man (since I pay enormous taxes) and anyone who needs anything comes to Samuel Jager. I have a lot of influence here and I've had preferential treatment everywhere, and so I hae to present myself well everywhere. Indeed I spend time with the better class of people" (324). These sentences from a letter written by Shmiel Jager have a strong emotional impact on the reader. One truly gets a sense of the pride and arrogance that Shmiel felt in his hometown. Although this does not paint the kindest portrait of Shmiel, it does provide a background for his reluctance to leave Bolechow, and the reader alternately feels an annoyance at his high opinion of himself, and a sadness for its effect on his life.
"Wait! Malcia exclaimed. I think she was relieved not to be talking about the past anymore, after all this time. You'll sit here a little while, and I'll make it for you!" (333). From this paragraph, the reader senses the true kindness of Malcia, even after all of the hardship and cruelty that she has been through. Also, one is reminded of how hard it is for the Jews of Bolechow to relive these memories of a terrible past. This portion of the text has an emotional appeal to the reader.
Quote
"But as Yona talked about how desperately poor my grandfather's childhood had been, I started to wonder, once again, how much of my grandfather's stories were based on fact, and how much they were the projections of his vivid and yearning imagination... Only in stories, after all, do things turn out neatly, and only in stories does every small detail fit neatly into place" (347). I liked this quote because Mendelsohn finally provides an adult aspect on his grandfather, instead of his childhood admiration, which is a nice change. As well, the reader is reminded of the nature of Mendelsohn's entire book: it is simply the memories of people which are bound to imagine over time more of a story, a way to make sense of all of it. This does not decrease their worthiness, but it is necessary to view these recollections in a certain light.
Theme
Perhaps the important part of a person, or history, is not the death, but the life.
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1 comment:
Sarah!
Ok, now that I'm done using my exclamation point...I just really wanted to write one. Anyway, I wanted to comment on your theme. I think you're right about how the life or history of someone is more important than their death, but doesn't it always seem that people just don't get truly famous until after they die? And for all we know, those who are famous while they are living will be forgotten when they pass away. People will probably just remember the day they died and then go "Wait, what were they famous for again?" Of course this might not happen, but a lot of well known artists and musicians weren't exactly famous during their time. Isn't it interesting how society works?
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