Finish reading the entire book before commenting.
COMMENT:
Choose a SMALL moment or a SMALL DETAIL in the book that has a particular meaning for you, either because it evoked a strong emotional response, or because it contained a piece of information about the past / human condition, or because it reminded you of something close and personal.
Try to find something that probably most other people missed. Avoid major themes or turning points.
Do not repeat episodes that have already been mentioned: choose an original one.
REPLY:
reply to a comment left after yours that emphasizes something you missed but that fits with the detail in your comment. Explain how the two reinforce each other.
"In this country, immigrants of the same town stick together like a swarm of bees from the same hive . . . And we who had been thrown together almost by chance became like one family . . . " (62)
ReplyDeleteThe above excerpt from the text really hit home. When my family came here, we lived in a small apartment with one bedroom. My sisters, my brother, my father, my mother, and I attempted to share the mattress and the sofa that my father had bought for us despite discouragement from my mother's aunt, whose family immigrated to America long before ours. She had my family's best interest at heart and intended for my father to save that money. My father's friends cleaned the whole apartment as spotless as possible. They were our first family here. They held and still hold much more importance to us than my mom's aunt, who has always lived at a distance. My father's friends' families and our family all lived on the same street, us kids playing together outside while the mothers cooked at home and the fathers went off to work. I didn't know it then, but my father worked as a janitor at the local school during the night and drove a school bus by day. My father's closest friend is a second father to me. More than my biological father, he knows what I am studying, what I am planning for a future career, how I am managing the finances, and how long I anticipate it will take me to get to my goal. All of our families would often eat together, send each other meals we cooked that day (a Pakistani tradition), and sit out on the streets together in the nice weather. Fourteen years into the future, we are all much better off than we were before, though still fighting constant debt and job displacements. We have moved apart, as I anticipate the gang/friends/family in the book will, but we are still close at heart. We spend the holidays together, as well as special occasions like birthdays and weddings. Our first family in the United States of America will always stay with us.
Although I commented prior to reading the whole book, a requirement added after my original post, I still stick to my comment because even after reading the whole book, this quote is what truly hit home.
Delete"And I thought to myself, 'Why, I am nothing more than a dog. A dog. But a dog is silent and slinks way when whipped, while I am filled with the urge to cry out, to cry out disconnected words, expressions of pain--anything--to cry out." (126)
ReplyDeleteI was deeply affected every time Pascal questions his self-worth because I wished for him to see what we can see through his words. When he calls himself a dog, I immediately thought about how Italian immigrants were views and how they were worked. They were treated as animals, shlepped away from place to place like a herd of beasts. They were all the same. They were only good for their hands, and if you were hurt physically, like Pascal was, you are useless. Then, you can starve. If you're alone and not with a group of others, you can starve alone. However, Pascal says that he is not a dog that is silent when whipped. This is ironic because he has been silent his whole life. He never spoke out against his parents. He seemed to be a good son, who went with the flow and listened. He was not the outspoken type to cause problems within the group. He went where the group went. It's interesting that in this moment, Pascal does not consider himself to be this quiet dog. Instead, I feel this moment is significant in that this is the beginning of Pascal starting to find his voice. Or, he acknowledges that he has this voice he wants to scream out. Although I do question my worth, as we all do, I really connect with the second part of this quote. I am always filled with the urge to express myself. I have spent the past year and three months with the urge to express how I feel over my dad's death. As Pascal's situation overwhelmed him in ways that are indescribable through measure or obvious words, my situation left me speechless but with so much to share. However, I feel that the deep, stinging burn that fuels us wth the urge to cry out also provides us with the urge to make art. Like Pascal, I resorted to poetry. Since the situation was too large to be grasped and explained in a single swoop, I pick and chose specific aspects. Poetry was beautiful in that it forced me to find the exact words and the exact emotions. It let me take control of the situation. I was easily swarmed by the largeness that poetry forced me to hone in and address the small aspects.
I agree with you, Kara. Pascal did see very little in himself. I think the reasons for this was because he couldn't help but internalize the mistreatment and poor living conditions he was suffering through. He didn't see himself persevering, but we as his readers saw his growth and determination when he may have just seen it as survival instincts.
DeleteYou are also right when you caught the contradiction he made about not a dog that is silent when whipped when he was always quiet. But he did grow throughout the book, he did eventually begin to stand up for himself. He had no other choice once his father chose to go back to Italy. When those American men tried to test Pascal's knowledge but failed when Pascal reversed it on them and showed them just how little they know in comparison to him.
In my opinion, Pascal begin to find himself and finally speak up for himself when he started to learn English. This put him on an even playing field with everyone who held rank over him. He no longer needed to hide for he could finally express himself and know that they would understand him.
"And though not one of them said a word, it seemed that the balmy summer night had awakened deep in their hearts the vision of another land, lovely and balmy and calm. A land that doesn't know any such things as foremen, in small towns where one is never among strangers and people help one another". pg 119
ReplyDeleteThis line stood out to me the most in the story, I even reread it to make sure I got the full message. This line shows the shared and collective dream of all of the immigrant foremen. Even though they each had their separate gangs and cliques they each felt that yearning for something better. This line also shows how divided it is in America as compared to their hometowns. In America, everyone was in it for themselves, no one else was looking out for you but yourself. But, back in Italy everyone worked together and help out their neighbor. They were even close enough to have the unspoken right to discipline one another's children. The shared dream is what bonded each of them together. Pascal was able to detect by the silence and calm attitudes of his fellow foremen that in that single moment they were all feeling and yearning for the same future. That's very powerful.
Nayisha, although I read about the townspeople discipling each others' children, I did not analyze it in the manner you do. I failed to understand it as discipling and rather thought of it as punishment. Surely, I have been corrected. Thank you. While I understand what you explain, I believe that such actions as "being in it for yourself" differ between ethnic and/or religious groups, as well as between individuals. In my personal experience, my family and I have found many who have supported us and us them. I still remember one very specific instance in elementary school when I was assigned research homework. We did not have a computer so I went to a neighbor's home, who taught me how to do research. To this day, I use the keywords method he taught me (which I believe is common). I will never forget this act of kindness and my family never forgets the kindness bestowed upon us from our family friends, as we term our relation.
DeleteAlthough I describe instances of support, I do concur with you that the fact that the townspeople in Italy were comfortable enough to discipline each others' children is evidence of a strong relation. Never has my family, or any family we know, had enough courage to discipline each others' children. That is reserved solely as the right of the parent. That fits into the narrative I provided in which our new family and us lived and still live in harmony. But we also understand our limits. Even though we may get involved in helping to solve a house fight, we do not discipline each others' children. That is the only thing, in my opinion, that we reserve.
“Somehow, the sufferings and discouragements which I received during those terrible months only spurred me to greater efforts.” (160)
ReplyDeleteThis small moment from the book really stuck with me because this was right after Pascal came home to all his stuff being wet and ruined. When reading this moment I thought that Pascal would have felt defeated and would have given up. I thought it was the lowest moment of Pascal’s journey in America. Throughout the book and his life, although Pascal faced many challenges his determination to reach his goal never diminished. When reading that line in the book, I was very surprised because this would be the moment where most people would have given up and probably went back to Italy where everything was familiar. But instead of giving up all these challenges that he faced only made him want to fight even harder. To me it is a very inspiring line considering the circumstances and challenges Pascal faced.
I couldn't find the exact page, but the one detail that filled me with despair was how Pascal couldn't store his stale bread under his bed because the pipes in the building he was living in would regularly spill sewage onto his floor. During the winter, he assumed that it would be okay to store his bread under his bed because the pipes were frozen. After a day of begging to have his work published, he went home starving. He found that the pipes had actually ruptured and everything got wet--including the bread he wanted to eat.
ReplyDeleteTo me this represents an absolute low point. Pascal's luck couldn't get any worse. The conditions we was living in were so depressing. If it was me, I wouldn't had the will to go on. I felt chills when he described despite his intense hunger, we could dare touch the bread. At least he had his dignity. I also admired how he picked himself up and pressed on.
One of the details that strikes me the most is one in which Pascal's fellow workers tell him the following. "A man born a laborer could never rise.". I find this statement to be loaded with self hatred and a tiny bit of stupidity. In my opinion, the statement of the workers was a reflection of what they believed about themselves. They were so used to struggling that they believed there was nothing greater out in the world for them. And because Pascal had the audacity to dream and not be limited by his circumstances, this bothered him. I also find this statement insane because many of the workers were laborers back in Italy. So if they believed that a laborer could never rise, what were they doing in America? What were they searching for? Although they originally came from Italy to find work, I'm pretty sure they had hopes of making lots of money and, eventually, rising from their sate of intense labor. I just found what the workers said to be discouraging. Almost as though they were giving Pascal's dreams a death sentence before he had even given himself a true chance at success. This comment is why i was the most excited for pascal's success. It was so inspiring that he proved his fellow workers wrong. I'd like to think that his success showed them that they did not have to stay where they were and that they could definitely set and achieve goals they did not even believe were possible.
ReplyDeleteThe Author didn't grab my attention with a single moment but a collection of moments. D'Angelo shared with his readers his admiration with the beautiful things that kept him happy. These moments, during his time of toil, allowed him to remain happy and find hope. At home in Italy he spoke of the beauty of his village and the opulence of the Monte Magella, the mountain that over looked his village. While in New York City he was fascinated by the store fronts, the splendor of the suspension of the Brooklyn Bridge, and other simple things like flowers at a florist. More importantly he was amazed at the beauty of the sky and stars. The most notable mentioning of his gazing at, and wonderment with the sky and stars, was when he was a child laborer working in his village, while in New York working on the railroads, and in Virginia when he was ill treated by his foreman before and after his injury. The recognition of beauty was an oasis for him but it also, was the fuel that kept him moving forward. These attractions assisted him in his long and rugged road ahead. Although he labored with a pick and shovel, he remained happy by finding appeasement in the beauty around him and the stars above him.
ReplyDeleteWhen he spoke of his enchantment with all things beautiful, this wiped out the rage that accumulated in me, it calmed me, it relaxed me, it made me believe that he would be safe and that his dreams would be realized. The joy he captured from these moments mesmerized me and kept me interest in the book, I marveled, as if I were a fan, and he, the champion.
"Marveled at all things beautiful", funny we the functioning are also we the ungrateful. All these readings exemplified stories of a people, a emigrant who was ungrateful to be in this country so much so that they lie cheat and steal. In my views, we the ungrateful are those of us who have, those of us who didn't migrate and have the luxury it is to belong somewhere, to be of conditions that are luxury to other countries. Go live in these countries with these conditions and see don't we find more peace acceptance and gratefulness for our own country then we would have if we never left. We the functioning, the ornate, the ungrateful, the rageful, we should be full of shame and not of pride because we know not of the trenches so many migrants sprawled from
Delete"We are not better off than when we started". (106) D' Angelo's father says this to him and propositions that they both go back to Italy. This is a gut wrenching comment because I know what it's like to fall by the wayside during steep competition. No matter where you are and who you are, there's always someone trying to take your spot. Most times it's inadvertent because as a natural order, there's only so many spots for such a large mass of people. A lesson I recently learned is that just to live a decent standard of living, I have to have multiple streams of income. One good job doesn't cut it anymore. Now you have to have three jobs, or an online business and so on and so forth.
ReplyDelete"One night shortly after our return my father announced to me that he was thinking of leaving for Italy. "We are not better off than when we started," he said, and he asked me if I wished to go back with him.
ReplyDeleteI shook my head. Something had grown in me during my stay in America..." pg 106
This passage stood with me. To see the difference in the generations. Pascal's father spent most of his life in Italy, he has stronger ties to the country whereas Pascal migrated when he was young, he partially grew up in America.
It was interesting to read that Pascal's father would rather struggle in Italy, than struggle in America. He would return to the country that drove him out because America is breaking him. He's accepting suffering in his life. Anywhere he lives he will suffer and he's rather suffer in Italy, his home.
Coming from a family of immigrants, I can't fathom my grandparents migrating to America, then years later think to themselves "the antisemitism is strong in New York too, let me return to Syria". My ancestors came to New York with no intention of turning back. They came to America in hopes of creating a new life for themselves. I'm amazed that the Italian immigrants did not have that mind set. They viewed America as a job, they'll work until they make enough money to return to their home country.
Pascal rejects his father. He says in America. He think he invested too much into America. He suffered, he needs to see the positive outcome of his hardship. He endured so much pain, there must be a bright side to this story. He writes "I would strike the light. I could not remain in the dark perpetually." He believes his bad luck will turn.
That is such a great point and I didn't think of it from that perspective. Pascal's father was in old age and tired of his efforts going in vain. But Pascal grew up and became a man in America. He had a lifetime ahead of him and new going back to Italy would be a sure death sentence. At least here in America there is a chance for success.
Delete" And this was America, I thought. During our way over on the ship I had seen golden heaps of clouds and rainbow vistas toward which we sped, and I had come to believe that they were perhaps the portals of America." pg 55 (ebook)
ReplyDeleteThis small detail in the book filled me with sadness, since Pascal had no idea what America really was. Back in Italy, he knew people would go to America but they would never return. Rumors that were started always said how great America was, that's why no one was returning. Pascal thinks that America is all rainbows and golden heaps of clouds, which is really sad because in reality America was much darker than it led on to be. From the knowledge I acquired from previous texts, the discrimination and abuse Italian immigrants faced in America was horrible. This also relates to the previous discussion, since America is always led on to be this land of the great, but once you come here you can see there is a lot of discrimination and hard work to be faced.
This is what I'm talking about! The sad truth that this young boy let his home for a place he was told was greater than where he was. Rainbows and golden heaps of clouds sounds like a dream world in which we would all want to live in. Filled with hope and joy. Little did he know it was far, far from rainbows. I too was filled with sadness because we see, as the story is told, how this young boy is filled with hope and how he soon feels defeated. Even his own father wanting to go back to Italy. Those that never returned home probably weren't alive, or living in conditions where they can barley make it through to the next day. These few pages and chapters saddened me because I could sense that nothing good was going to follow.
Delete"A last kiss from my mother. Everything was obscured by a mist of tears. We were going into the unknown. Had our feet been carrying us we would have instinctively turned toward home." (page 55)
ReplyDeleteAlong with the emotional ending of chapter 4 where Pascal is sobbing in his mother's arms, these few pages and paragraphs build up such suspense. When Pascal tells us about how him and his mother sobbed together knowing that there will be no more nights together for a very long time was heartbreaking. I just pictured myself and everyone else saying goodbye to their mothers, not knowing when they will see them again. Then I thought about how the other felt knowing her child was going into, like Pascal says, the unknown. I'm not a mother yet but i can only imagine the fears a parent would have saying good bye to their child.
When he was boarding the plan and states have their feet been carrying them they would have went home just explains how Pascal and his father were just going through the motion. It gave a sense of being numb, just doing something because you are already committed to doing it. The fears they must have felt not knowing what to expect, especially Pascal at such a young age.
This part stood out to me and really touched me because later on in the book (specifically the first paragraph of chapter 15), Pascal shares some of his living conditions such as "I too felt that I was mouldering....Many a freezing night, unable to remain in bed I had to get up and walk about three miles...""Once I had to stay three days without washing because the lavatory pipes were frozen." I thought back to when he was being held in his mothers arms and how he and she probably couldn't have imagined Pascal going through this on his new journey after embarking on it only hoping for the very best.
The today that pascal had to make was what stood to me . Toward the end Pascal's made a decision to remain in America when his father to return to Italy. Even with all he went through in America Pascal still decided to stay . He knew the life he left sacrifices no future. He would sacrifices , so that tomorrow if he sacrifice its for the whole family not pascal .I am sure many immigrant today would agree wasn't decision pascal make knowing that it may not succeed ,but one day poverty wold be in the past.
ReplyDeleteIn the final chapter Pascal said, the sufferings and discouragements which he received during those terrible months only spurred him to greater efforts. This detail stood out to me because I have been trying to complete my degree for years. So many sufferings, so much discouragements. But somehow I got back up everyday, some how I was spurred toward greater efforts. Ambition is a blessing and a curse, it will give you everything to fight for and make you miserable as hell at the same time and only the strong will survive it. For everything I have worked so hard to be every room I enter there is a source of discouragement, there is struggle and for every hurdle I cross over it is a source of triumph. Pascal divided a plan to hit every door in the city, I smiled here because Im a planner like this. I start to form things and make lists because this faith filled action is the only thing that keeps me going, the gift to try is better then to never have opportunity to try at all. Pascal didn't know if he would fail and yes he even received unfavorable news from most but in that he learned. In that he gained new skill, new response, new tactic. Life is about learning, adjusting, and always striving to win. Pascal reminds me of the instincts I have, to continue to at least try.
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