Reminiscing the past, pointing to the future: immigrant memoirs
from the early- twentieth-century United States
Reminiscing the past, pointing to the future: immigrant memoirs
from the early- twentieth-century United States
Author(s): Anita JarczokSubject(s): History, Language and Literature Studies, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Social history, Recent History (1900 till today), Philology, American Literature
Published by: Akademia Techniczno-Humanistyczna w Bielsku-Białej
Keywords: immigrant memoirs;the past and the future;Americanization;Marcus E. Ravage;Constantine Panuznio;Edward Steiner;Jacob Cash;
Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to demonstrate that memoirs, which are usually examined in terms of their connection to the past, are often oriented towards the future. Using immigrant memoirs from the early twentieth century United States, this essay shows that immigrant authors wrote their memoirs with a specific audience in mind, an audience they believed they can instruct. One the one hand, immigrants addressed American citizens, and wanting to gain their sympathy, they described the difficulties of the immigrant life. On the other hand, they wrote for their fellow immigrants to show them that determination pays off and one can have a comfortable, or even successful, life in a new country. Their aim was to envision and promote a better future for the American society, a future based on tolerance and equality.
Journal: Świat i słowo
- Issue Year: 1/2020
- Issue No: 34
- Page Range: 127-146
- Page Count: 20
- Language: English