Finishing
“Son of Italy” forced me to feel so much deeper for the immigrant experience
than I have before. I may have felt strongly empathetic and cried from accounts
I have read, but this story forced me to address my emotions about the
experience again. I went through waves of disgust, anger, repulsion, hope,
disappointment alongside Pascal. I felt as if I was truly there, but at the
same time, couldn’t even imagine living that life. I even thought that I might
have given up easily. I have always been a person who never stopped going after
her dreams, but now I question if I would have had the same ability to
persevere. I question so many foreman, bosses, landowners who were so ruthless
and mean. I question why they needed to claim such privilege. I question how
they didn’t have much of a heart. I cannot even fathom feeling so much physical
and mental pain, so clueless as to how this whole new country operates.
This is a tour-de-force of self-inquiry and self-reflection.
It is easy to think of us as heroes whose determination will win it all. But, don't we all have doubts about our courage and resilience?
Add you COMMENT to Kara's thoughts. And REPLY (required) to any comment that advanced the debate further.
I shared many of the same feelings while reading of Pascal's journey in America. I was angry at how cold people could be to people struggling and barely surviving. I also question how those with a shred of power felt it equaled to them becoming cold and ruthless. Were they afraid of losing their power? Did they look down on them and see them as less because they were immigrants? BUt lastly, I had to smile at Pascal's determination to say and weather the very long storm he did. He had so many reasons pushing him to give up but he never gave in to any of them and that is what I call true bravery, fearlessness, and determination. And it does make you think if our living situations were like his would we still consider ourselves strong willed? Or would we give up in the eye of the storm?
ReplyDeleteI also smiled at Pascal's determination. It was amazing to see how he described story after story filled with horrible details and experiences, and how he bravely persevered through it all. A specific example I thought of was when he had to walk home after being robbed and he got home to a sewage leak, ruined papers, and a soaking wet bed, and his reaction was that first he cried and mourned a little bit, but then he got right back to work and kept trying even harder! It reminded me of one time when I was in camp and the shower in my bunk had a sewage backup. My reaction was very different than Pascal's and none of my stuff was even ruined! Throughout this whole book, I kept comparing Pascal's reactions to what mine would have been, and after a while I began to wonder what exactly was keeping him thinking so positively?
DeleteHis determination throughout the book was very inspiring especially at that example in the book when I thought it was his lowest moment. I thought for sure that he was going to make his way back to Italy but instead he didn't give up and continued to follow his dream.
DeleteI'd have to agree with Kara and Nayisha regarding feeling as if they were on the journey with Pascal. This work was written so beautifully that with every seen, I was able to get a clear and vivid picture of what Pascal experienced. Very inspiring and eye opening.
DeleteReading Son of Italy also made me go through a variety of emotions. I was disgusted as to how people in America treated Italian immigrants. They wanted to make as much money as they could for themselves and their families but the people in charge made it very difficult and it was very heartbreaking to read. They had no compassion and treated them like they were slaves. I can also relate to what Kara said when she wrote that she always goes after her dreams, but after reading what Pascal went through it is hard for me to say that I would have stayed there just like he did through all those tough conditions. Even after being told no a countless amount of times, he still stuck with it because that was his dream. It’s hard to imagine what life would have been like going through what Pascal went through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maria, the immigrants just wanted to work and make a life for their families - to see how the world around them treated them was heart breaking. Pascal pushed through all his challenges, he's strong.
DeleteI understand where you both come from. I know I would not have survived the conditions D'Angelo did. I am a weak and petite girl incapable of working the jobs he did, let alone persevering to pursue such a major life achievement. I am still astonished. D'Angelo was illiterate! Look at the book we are reading! The language and grammar is much superior to mine, and I grew up learning English!
DeleteWhile reading through the struggles that Pascal had to overcome just to achieve his dream its amazing to me that he accomplished everything he wanted even though he had to go through hell to get there. He had to overcome migrating, learning a new language, finding a job, and just racism in general and he still became a wonderful poet and published author. If more people had his determination, even when the world around them is saying no in every aspect, the world would be a better and more successful place. Reading how Pascal had to move to try and find work, and then he was injured but continued to try and find more work I really believe I would have given up. He shows such perseverance and heart that thinking back motivates me to want to try my best to achieve my goals in life. I also like Kara, question how all these foremans, landowners and anyone in charge could be so mean and not caring to the people that were just trying to better their lives for themselves and their families. Pascal's determination also made me smile, reading his autobiography made me feel like I knew him personally and it made me happy that he succeeded in life.
ReplyDeleteYes!! One thing that constantly confused me is how some of these foreman were treating the laborers. Mind you, some of the foremen were Italian.I found it so odd that, on one hand, the book gives details about Pascal and his men sticking together because they were from the same town. Yet, on the other, there were instances where Italians were mistreating other Italians.
DeleteAfter reading about the struggles Pascal went through, I too am blown away from the dedication he had. I hear on the news, or I hear my grandfather's stories about immigrating to America - the stories sound so romantic "I bribed someone to sneak me out of Syria, me and my best friend rode on the back of a motorcycle across the boarder to Israel..". My grandfather never mentions the sacrifices he made.
ReplyDeleteI'm third generation American, I don't know what it's like to leave your life and move to a new country, learn a new language, join a society that hates you. Reading Pascal's work helped me empathize with immigrants. His story could be applied to many Americans stories today.
If found your comment about your Grandfather interesting. It may sound romantic, but we could never truly know what he sacrificed for a better life. I hope stories from our elder are passed on so that we may learn from the past and appreciate the things that are given to us.
DeleteI'm glad I read this book because it opened me up to a world I never thought about. Pascal's trials and tribulations made me grateful for the life I have. If I was in his shoes, I don't know if I would have been able to survive. His resilience is something that was built up from a young age. I admire his strength and will to power through adversity. Even though he's just a humble laborer, I consider him a hero. For every hardship, I felt powerful sympathy. The abuse he suffered is a reminder that this world is indifferent. I believe the only to overcome such pain is through compassion. Before anyone days to unjustly disparage, immigrants, I ask that they read Son of Italy first.
ReplyDeleteI love the part where you say even though he is just a humble laborer, you consider him a hero. This country was built on the backs on humble laborers, they are all our heroes. I so whole heartily agree with this statement for emigrants and for "citizens". The common man has not received the due credit he should, nor do I believe this country will ever recognize where we would be without laborers. Industralization may have led to many migrating here but this country still thinks they could replace us all.
DeleteI certainly agree that it takes a powerful individual to accomplish his accolades. But I think power, and the necessity to survive wasn't the only things at play that lead to his success. His hopes, ambition to learn, and his dream to be something other then a pick and shovel man also helped him in his endeavors. When he acknowledged his toil, he also told his reader that he was still happy. His aspirations and inclinations to do what other laborers didn't or couldn't was an on going catalyst for him. It does takes a powerful person to overcome but, like D'Angelo, you, me or anyone else that is steadfast to their hopes and dreams can muscle through and achieve anything, even the unthinkable.
DeleteFinishing "Son of Italy" I was left with a lot of emotions, mainly sadness and disgust. I cannot believe the way Italians, and all immigrants were treated when they came to America. This book greatly ties into the other readings and lectures we have read, but this gives Pascal's point of view. As a first generation America, I have heard many stories about immigrating to America. When my family shares these stories, I also think "No way, that's sounds like a movie" but in reality that it was they endured. Fear of the unknown, leaving everything behind, not knowing if you were going to be ok, not speaking the language. Pascal was very brave, strong and determined to survive. Anything he faced, he stayed strong and faced it will bravery. Pascal overcame so many struggles that all immigrants face/faced.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you all the parts about emotions . His story was truly touching . Its a great reminder for why having dedication even when faced so many challenges .Most immigrants like you said face unbearable things ,but seem to fight to overcome that time and time again.
DeleteReading and finishing "Son of Italy" , open my eyes to other tribes for once instead of mine own . The poverty he left just with hopes for better tomorrow shows the attuned that immigrants have . Not the attuned that is shaped by the "so real americans" who are angry and want to box people in search of a better life. The struggles he faced were similar to my whole family that attuned to this same America . But because he came up so much he backing down migrated an option .I am sure there are many immigrants who share the dedication as the young man in the story .
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are ow open to other tribes too. I am so curious to know about all tribes that have migrated here and to see the differences and similarities that they all faced. I wonder how many gave up and maybe even went back to their countries. I wonder if there were any suicides during these rough times. I know it sounds horrible, but with what immigrants were dealing with I wouldn't be surprised and after reading about some of the events in this story, I wouldn't be surprised if there were high rates of suicide and depression and anxiety but they just are not spoken about.
DeleteI am sad to say this but this what all immigrants go through. Is it right? No, but until people realized that we all the same people just from different parts of the world and we all have special gifts to make the world a better place. In a strange way, the adversity makes us stronger and hungry to succeed for self and family. And give a lesson to children of immigrants “you need to work harder just to be equal”.
ReplyDeleteBeing someone who identifies as black, I felt like this story was necessary for me to read. I was surprised to read about so many of the struggles that Italians experienced throughout the journey of coming to America. After finishing the book, I felt as though I was educated about so much. When I began reading the book, I had this idea that, although Italians went through the immigration process, there was no way they could have experienced the horrors that other minorities faced in coming to this country. However, i quickly realized that Italians definitely experienced their share of troubles and there was no privilege involve din all of it (as I had once thought). I loved to see the main theme of perseverance repeat itself throughout the latter half of the book. This solidified the point that immigrants from various backgrounds can come together and understand the common struggles that they all face. I also agree with kara's comment about all the emotions this book made me feel. There were moments where I was completely dumbfounded at what pascal experienced. The scene that sticks in my memory is the one where he takes his bloody handkerchief to carry his bread and eggs. Reading this was painful and, as Kara mentioned, I'm not sure if I would be able to live through half of what Pascal and his men faced.
ReplyDeleteReading Son of Italy, I felt the same way as Kara. Anger, disgust, and heart break filled my emotions and thoughts as I read. We all come from immigrant families which is why I don't understand why some races think they are better than others when we were all at the very bottom once. Pascal's story was honestly overwhelming. I admired how he sat there and taught himself English, I admired how he thought the Mexican workers were gentlemen when, even to this day, people can't seem to think that way of Mexicans. But Pascal did because he was doing the same work as the Mexicans. When reading that part, I remember thinking to myself "wow." People forget where they came from and aren't educated about their roots. Immigrants were treated like animals. They lived in inhumane situations that all of us wouldn't even survive in. This generation thinks material things and how much money you have is what gives you a reason to brag with pride. I think being able to come from the bottom and educate yourself and push through situations such as Pascal did is something to brag about. We think going to school and working either a full time or part time job is rough? Yeah, some have it harder than others, but not a single one of us taking this course had it as bad as Pascal did. I would love to go through a time machine and see how I would manage through the times that Pascal did. I wonder what I would have made of myself and if I would have turned into a mean person hating life or embraced my opportunities. My respect and sympathy that goes out to all immigrant families is out of this world. After reading Pascal's story, I am honestly interested in reading the stories of others from other races. It feels as if I am finally getting a sense of this country and what it once was which makes it what it is today.
ReplyDeleteI share many of the emotions Kara does, particularly anger and disgust. The conditions he worked in and interactions he had with bosses and foreman was startling and it provoked, on my behalf, indignation. D'Angelo, I believe, found pride in his hopes and aspirations and that pride fueled him and perpetuated his happiness. Knowing this, calmed me and relaxed me. His temperament made me believe he could make it and it lifted my spirits. His emotional attachment to his dream, inspirational, at least, didn't allow his pursuit to falter. This attachment sustained his happiness, affording him the strength to move on and affording me the strength to believe in him. Although his situation and the situation of many immigrants is heartbreaking, his pride, happiness, and ambitions comforts me.
ReplyDeleteAs with Kara, I do not think I could have endured and persevered till the end as D'Angelo has. Although I work very hard, I find that motivation is hard to come by. What makes things worse is that some individuals try to make things harder for you, rather than easier. In D'Angelo's experience, for instance, he constantly faces obstacles due to the ego of those around him. For example, due to the foreman Domenick's ego, D'Angelo injured himself on the job. Not only was D'Angelo unable to work, but the foreman refused to give him an easier task temporarily (114-117). Imagine working beyond your limits, and still, someone else wants to make you work as if you were a machine carrying heavy loads uphill in a wet, slippery weather. I would not have done it. For me, physical health is extremely important. Without proper physical health, we are bound to fail in life because we become incapable of doing many things. What if D'Angelo's injury was greater than a bleeding hand? What if he hurt his head? He would have died. Even today, with such great technological and medical advances, brain injury is very hard to come back from, and at that time in those conditions, D'Angelo was not going to get the medical attention needed for a brain injury, which he could have easily had.
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