Reading Log

The reading log entry of “the Americanization of Shadrach Cohen”
                                                                                                            Baggio
In my opinion, this story the Americanization of Shadrach Cohen written by Lessing is laden with conflicts, conflicts which are between different countries, cultures and religions, conflicts which are exhibited among family members and variable social classes as well as conflicts which are reflected from individual’s deep heart and nature. And it is these conflicts that render the story edificatory as it stands.

To begin with, the story reflects a deep gap between different cultures in today’s world. When Shadrach, the protagonist of the story, first stood on the land of American, he found himself not able to be involved in this new country. His odd appearance, such as the long straggling grey beard and ringlets that came down over his ears, rendered himself ridiculous in this high-developed nation. Even his sons, who did business in American five years before their father, cannot accept their father at the first glance, since they thought they had well been “Americanized”. Customs and religions cannot be changed easily, since they serve as a cultural identity as well as a pill that can cure people’s misery. In this sense, we may understand the reason why Shadrach was so rigidly clinging to his religions and daily habits, such as prayer after meals, although the circumstance around him had changed so dramatically in comparison to the previous one. It can also explain why when he had reaped tremendous success in the business realm he still kept those habits, which we can find easily from the last paragraph of the story.

In my observation, every one in the world could feel uncertain, insecurity and encounter a myriad of confusing choice; meanwhile one also has to overcome remorse, confusion and guilt. So one need religion to lift their spirits and endow them the courage to face the adversity in day-to-day life. So no matter how rapidly the outside situations are changing, and no matter how fiercely others could reject, Shadrach was still a man who believed in and stuck to the God with tenacity. Just as the author said, “when life is light and free from care, religion is quick to fly; but when growing heavy upon our shoulders, then we welcome the consolation that religion brings.”

In the second place, I find the story is replete with the conflicts between the family members, say, between father and sons. In my point of view, after five years’ life in the American, the sons had been partially Americanized: their life style had been totally “western”; they thought “money talks”; they pursued profit maximization; and they admired those business elites and hope one day they can be one of them. So they cannot easily accept the life style of their father and even show some rejection and resistance to the servant—Marta. On the other hand, Shadrach found himself hard to get along harmoniously with his sons, especially when Gottlieb, one of his sons, refused to bring his fiancé to see him. He even began to feel money was the only bond linking him and them. I think the conflicts between Shadrach and his sons are unavoidable because the totally different concepts between the two generations.

Finally, I would say the conflicts among Shadrach’s heart are the very ones that make me feel the story is worthy to read and evaluate. Facing the misunderstands of his sons and the striking of the American culture, on the one hand, Shadrach needed to maintain the relationship with his sons in order to keep a harmonious family; on the other hand, he should prove that he was not a man just receiving help from others and that he had the ability to earn his life, even a better life, as well. And he made it. He earned the respects both from his sons and his competitors. And he showed his talent in the business areas. But we notice that during this process, he did not lose his root—in other words, he kept his religion, not like other immigrants. This is the very reason why I admire his characters and his tenacity to insist what he beliefs in.

Was Shadrach Americanized? Different readers would hold different opinions. But for my part, he was not been Americanized, at least in the spirit level. He was a victor, who took advantage of material world in American while kept the mental world intact. He may be attracted by American’s life style, liberty and democracy, but he would be steadfast to the eternal mental pursuit forever.