Bound by Circumstances: Exploring Social Determinism in Anzia Yezierska's Naturalistic Bread Givers

Bound by Circumstances: Exploring Social Determinism in Anzia Yezierska’s Naturalistic Bread Givers Izaro Arrasate Rios Degree in English Studies Department of English and German Philology and Translation and Interpreting Instructor: Maja Daniel Academic year: 2023-2024 Abstract Literary naturalism aims to depict life with harsh realism, emphasizing the influence of environmental and social circumstances on human behavior. Naturalistic works often highlight the struggles and adversities faced by the lower classes without romanticizing them. Influenced by scientific theories like Darwinism, naturalism suggests that people’s actions are determined by factors beyond their control, such as biological and social conditions. With a pessimistic perspective and an objective narrative tone, naturalistic literature reveals the powerful external forces that determine human fate. Anzia Yezierska’s Bread Givers exemplifies this approach, portraying the struggles of Jewish immigrant families in early twentieth-century America. This thesis explores how larger social forces, including poverty, immigration, and social expectations, shape the destinies of characters in Bread Givers. It argues that social determinism is a central theme in the novel, examining the impact of these forces on the characters’ opportunities, choices, and outcomes. The study begins with an overview of the historical and cultural context of early twentieth-century America, highlighting the significant advancements, urbanization and the arrival of numerous immigrants that influenced Yezierska’s writing. This background provides a foundation for comprehending the socio-economic conditions that influence the lives of the novel’s characters. Following this contextualization, the dissertation introduces literary naturalism, its origins and its defining characteristics, demonstrating how these aspects are mirrored in Yezierska’s work, situating Bread Givers within the naturalistic tradition. The analysis examines Yezierska’s depiction of social determinism through the immigrant experience, poverty, family relationships, gender roles and the ambiguity of success. Key passages are identified to reveal how characters’ lives are governed by inescapable forces. The findings demonstrate that Bread Givers reflects the harsh realities of immigrant life and underscores the deterministic nature of naturalistic literature. Therefore, the novel serves as a clear example of how social and familial pressures shape individual destinies, illustrating the broader themes of naturalism in American literature. Keywords: Naturalism; Social determinism; American literature; Anzia Yezierska; Bread Givers TABLE OF CONTENTS: Abstract.............................................................................................................................. 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................1 2. Methodology and Justification................................................................................... 3 3. Twentieth-Century American Historical and Cultural Context............................. 4 4. Defining Naturalism as a Literary Movement..........................................................6 4. 1 Origins of Literary Naturalism............................................................................. 6 4.2 Characteristics of Naturalism................................................................................ 8 5. Anzia Yezierska: A Naturalistic Writer.....................................................................9 6. Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska: Portrayal of Determinism in the Twentieth-Century Immigrant Life............................................................................. 11 6.1 The Immigrant Experience..................................................................................12 6.2 The Influence of Poverty in Social Mobility.......................................................14 6.3 Family Relationships...........................................................................................15 6.4 Gender Roles and Expectations...........................................................................17 6.5 Marriage...............................................................................................................18 6.6 The Ambiguity of Success...................................................................................20 7. Conclusions.................................................................................................................21 Works Cited....................................................................................................................22 1. Introduction Literature has long played a crucial role in enriching readers’ lives, offering not only entertainment but also a means to connect with the world. By delving into literary works, readers can expand their knowledge and learn about previous periods, as writers often capture the cultural and ideological movements of their time within their narratives. In the context of American literature, the early twentieth century was a period of profound transformation. Following the American Civil War and the subsequent Gilded Age, the United States experienced significant technological and industrial growth. Innovations such as electric streetcars, skyscrapers, and railroads adapt to the American landscape and economy. These advancements led to urbanization, with many individuals from rural areas and immigrants from abroad immigrating to cities like New York and Chicago in search of better opportunities and the promise of the American Dream. Significant immigration during this time, mostly from Jewish groups, altered the demographic composition of American cities. These immigrants often encountered challenges that included overcrowded tenements, poverty, and discrimination. Their working conditions were also hard, especially for women and children. Despite these adversities, America offered greater freedoms and opportunities than their countries of origin, prompting many to pursue education and professional growth. The literature of this period was influenced by these social and economic changes, contributing to the ongoing development of literary movements such as naturalism. Naturalism aims to depict the lives of the lower classes without idealization. In addition, unlike realism, naturalism emphasizes the deterministic forces of environment that shape human destiny and highlight the characters’ struggles against these oppressive influences. It was first proposed by French writer Émile Zola, who applied scientific methods to literature and emphasized environmental influences on characters. By the end of the nineteenth century, Zola’s work had profoundly influenced American naturalism, which was introduced to the United States by Frank Norris. 1 Naturalistic writers present life with objectivity, avoiding moral judgment and idealized portrayals. Characters are depicted as constructed by their environment, often shaped by forces beyond their control, introducing a pessimistic tone to the narrative. Influenced by determinism and Darwinism, naturalistic literature explores themes of poverty, discrimination, and social determinism, questioning the notion of free will. A clear example of this approach is the novel Bread Givers (1925) by Anzia Yezierska. The novel describes the harsh living conditions of Jewish immigrants in New York City during the early twentieth-century and compels the reader to examine the influence of the environment on the characters’ lives. This dissertation’s aim is to examine the novel as an illustration of American literary naturalism, with a particular emphasis on social determinism, by analyzing how the socioeconomic setting shapes characters’ lives. Therefore, the research question that I attempt to answer is the following: How does Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska represent the concept of social determinism which holds that environmental forces shape the destinies of the characters? To accomplish this goal, this dissertation is structured into four main components. In the first section, I shall give an overview of the American historical and cultural context for the early twentieth century. This historical context will aid in understanding how the themes and characters in the novel might have been affected by their historical and cultural period. In order to identify the naturalistic portrayal, the second section will focus on the concept of naturalism as a literary movement, its development in American literature and its defining characteristics. The third section provides background information about the author’s life and writing style, which helps readers understand the historical, cultural, and personal context in which the novel was written. The fourth and last section will deal with the analysis of the novel Bread Givers, which will be described as a representation of social determinism. The main elements of the protagonist’s life—her living circumstances as a Jewish immigrant in New York City, the poverty and discrimination she must deal with in addition to her familiar relationships, and her status as a woman in the context of the twentieth century—will all be explored in order to address this analysis. Lastly, I will conclude the analysis by outlining the key conclusions from the novel’s examination of determinism. 2 In this study, I assert that Anzia Yezierska’s novel Bread Givers exemplifies the naturalistic genre. The novel’s depiction of social determinism, a key characteristic of naturalism, is evident through its historical and cultural context, naturalistic approach, and specific narrative elements. 2. Methodology and Justification To address the research question and objectives outlined in this dissertation, I adopt a qualitative methodology. This approach involves a detailed examination of Anzia Yezierska’s novel, focusing on identifying key passages, character descriptions and thematic elements that demonstrate the influence of socioeconomic conditions on the characters’ lives, thereby highlighting its naturalistic qualities, particularly in terms of social determinism. The research also includes a review of previous studies, scholarly articles, and academic publications that discuss American literary naturalism. This step has been crucial for contextualizing Yezierska’s work within the literary and historical framework of early twentieth-century America. By analyzing the data from these sources, the research aims to connect these ideas with the dissertation’s goals, ultimately providing a deeper understanding of the naturalistic elements in Bread Givers. While investigating twentieth-century American literary naturalism, I found the theme of social determinism central to the literary movement. Naturalistic authors often highlight how environmental factors shape human lives, using their works to reveal the harsh realities of society. Anzia Yezierska’s Bread Givers stands out to me as an exemplary text for exploring this concept. By analyzing the deterministic elements in the novel, I aim to offer a more profound understanding of how naturalism operates within the novel. This analysis also aims to contribute to the broader discourse on social determinism in literature, providing valuable context for readers interested in this literary approach. Moreover, through this 3 focused study, the dissertation intends to highlight the significance of naturalism in American literature. 3. Twentieth-Century American Historical and Cultural Context In America, the twentieth century was a period marked by substantial social changes. Following the American Civil War (1861-1865), the nation entered the Gilded Age1, an era marked by significant advancements across technological, agricultural, economic and industrial fields. These developments had an impact on the literature of the time, with writers mirroring the changes occurring in American culture. The era saw significant technological and industrial advances, including electric streetcars, skyscrapers and the construction of railroads, fundamentally altering the lives of Americans and revolutionized the nation’s economy. This transformation not only saw the emergence of new business opportunities arise but also the establishment of factories (The American Women’s College). The rise of factories and the resulting emergence of new business opportunities provoked a transformative wave that swept across the socioeconomic landscape, prompting numerous individuals from rural areas to embark on the journey to urban centers in pursuit of new job opportunities. As a consequence, “the United States was transformed from a predominantly rural agrarian society to an industrial economy centered in large metropolitan cities” (Hirshchman and Mogford 897). This shift marked a significant turning point in American history since “by 1900, it was well on its way to becoming one of the largest industrial powers in the world” (The American Women’s College). In addition to people from rural areas, industrial development made immigrants pursue relocation to major urban centers such as New York or Chicago, driven by aspirations for reaching new opportunities and the iconic pursuit of the American Dream. The magnitude of this migration wave is evident from historical records, which indicate that “over one-third of the 105 million Americans in the 1920 population 1This term was first used by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) to refer to the period from 1877 to 1900, a time characterized by rapid economic growth, particularly within the United States. 4 belonged to the ‘immigrant community’ ” (Hirshchman and Mogford 897). Such demographic shifts highlight the profound impact of this societal transition on the composition of the nation during that era. Within the context of the influx of immigrants into the country, the Jewish community emerged as one of the most rapidly growing communities in the United States. According to Sarna and Golden, “where before 1900, American Jews never amounted even to 1 percent of America’s total population, by 1930 Jews formed about 3 percent”. This demographic shift was particularly pronounced in New York, where half of the country’s Jewish population resided. However, this growth in population also brought about numerous challenges, including poverty, unsanitary living conditions, and discrimination. This situation reveals the wide gap between the upper and lower classes in the United States of the time. While the majority of immigrants faced poverty and financial hardship, the forces of industrialization and the creation of new companies enriched a few, allowing them to maintain their economic power and influence. (The American Women’s College). As immigrants settled in cities like New York, Jewish immigrants faced obstacles in securing suitable housing. Often, the available accommodations were overcrowded tenements, shared by a multitude of workers who had immigrated during the same period in search of employment opportunities. These tenements were characterized as small living spaces with inadequate light and ventilation. Due to their economic situation, “families often could not afford an entire apartment to themselves and would take in boarders to help pay the rent. Even with this additional income, in many families, every member had to work, even the littlest children” (Rosenbaum and Shaller). This socioeconomic reality underscored the immense challenges confronting immigrant families as they sought to establish themselves in a new land. Moreover, the employment opportunities they were able to find often entailed enduring harsh working conditions and low wages, especially for children and women since “in the fabrics there was no minimum wage, and children and women were paid less than men” (Rosenbaum and Shaller). Such circumstances encouraged the working class to unite in advocating for better salaries and improved working conditions. However, these collective movements did not actively advocate for women’s rights, as it 5 was assumed that women would only remain in the workforce until marriage. Consequently, there was a widespread belief that there was no need to enhance the working conditions for women (Rosenbaum and Shaller). Nonetheless, within the context of America, women found themselves with greater opportunities and a bigger sense of freedom compared to the constraints imposed upon them within their countries of origin. Recognizing this favorable circumstance, a significant number of women began to actively pursue education. By “the early 19th century, some Jewish women attended the new female academies, becoming teachers, social reformers, and writers” (Antler). The socioeconomic reality of the time was unavoidably mirrored in the literature of the day, leading to the rise of several well-known writers who successfully conveyed the social and economic changes that the United States was going through at the time. A clear example was Anzia Yezierska, whose novels explore the immigrant experience and the struggles of Jewish immigrant families in the America of the twentieth century (Horowitz). 4. Defining Naturalism as a Literary Movement Naturalism emerged as a literary movement in the late nineteenth century, developing both in Europe and America. It is characterized by a commitment to depicting life as it is, without idealizing it, which links it closely with realism. However, although it has always been related to different genres, as Frank Norris pointed out: “This is not romanticism - this drama of the people, working itself out in blood and ordure. It is not realism. It is a school by itself, unique, somber, powerful beyond words. It is naturalism” (Norris 1108). 4.1 Origins of Literary Naturalism 6 6.1 The Immigrant Experience Through the lens of Sara Smolinsky and her family, Bread Givers vividly portrays the struggles of many immigrants attempting to establish themselves in a new and unfamiliar land in the twentieth century. As Jewish immigrants, the Smolinsky family not only embodies the challenges faced by newcomers to the United States but also the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants seeking a better life in America. Reflecting on their journey, Sara states that “when everything was gone from us, … our only hope was to come to America” (Yezierska 34). While believing America was going to provide them prosperity and freedom, upon arrival, they are met with harsh realities that contrast their hopeful expectations. The anticipated land of opportunity reveals itself as a landscape fraught with economic hardship and social barriers, forcing them to navigate a challenging and often hostile environment. This contrast between expectations and reality highlights how external factors beyond their control can limit their opportunities. The tenement of the Smolinsky family is depicted with vivid detail that underscores the harsh realities of immigrant life in early twentieth-century America. It is described as a cramped, overcrowded, and poorly maintained living space. The rooms are small and dark, with little ventilation, contributing to an oppressive atmosphere. The walls are described as having “the plaster ... cracked and full of holes” (Yezierska 14), reflecting the economic struggles and social challenges faced by the family. Despite having initially viewed America as “the new golden country, where milk and honey flow free in the streets” (Yezierska 9), they encounter the brutal reality of poverty. This situation emphasizes the social determinism central to naturalism, where characters’ lives are dictated by their environments. The situation of the mother, Shena Smolinsky, having to ask for food from the shops, illustrates the desperate reality of immigrant life, often marked by social humiliation. This underscores the theme of social determinism in naturalistic literature, as Shena’s actions are dictated by the external forces of poverty. Yezierska also describes the types of employment available to immigrants, highlighting the limited and often exploitative nature of their work opportunities. Many immigrants, including Sara Smolinsky, ultimately find themselves working in factories, 13 which typically involve low-paying, long hours and harsh conditions. Sara works in a laundry, a physically demanding job requiring significant strength. These working conditions provide another illustration of how outside economic factors influence characters’ destinies. Through the experiences of the Smolinsky family, the novel also reveals the societal barriers that marginalize immigrants and restrict their opportunities. The family’s struggles are exacerbated by the condescending attitudes of native-born Americans, who often view them as unwelcome outsiders. An example Yezierska provides is when the Smolinsky family is unable to pay rent on time, prompting the landlord to say, “The cheek of those dirty immigrants! A fool I was, giving them a chance another month” (17). Sara, too, faces discrimination from her workmates due to her appearance and language: “after that I was shut out like a “greenhorn” who didn’t talk their language. When they gossiped beaux, or dances, or the latest styles, their mouths snapped tight when I got near. When they planned any picnics or parties, I was left out” (Yezierska 180). This portrayal not only highlights the challenges of early twentieth-century immigrant life, but also reinforces the naturalistic theme that individuals are profoundly influenced by their environment and circumstances. 6.2 The Influence of Poverty in Social Mobility In Bread Givers, poverty serves as a pervasive and oppressive force that profoundly impacts the lives of the characters, illustrating the principles of naturalism and social determinism. Their economic situation not only limits their material comfort, but also their opportunities when it comes to personal development, making the characters want to improve their economic situation in order to improve their future. Sara’s sisters view marriage as their only option for escaping from poverty. This perspective is rooted in the belief that men represent a much easier path to financial stability and social mobility than personal achievement. Sara, on the other hand, embodies a different response to poverty. From the age of ten, she worked to support her family, highlighting the necessity of child labor among immigrant families. As she 14 reflects, “I was about then years old then. But from always it was heavy on my heart the worries for the house as if I was mother” (Yezierska 1). Despite these barriers, Sara sees education as the key to social mobility and dreams of a life beyond the poverty of her tenement. Her aspirations cause many tensions since “those who shared the mobility aspiration of a larger society had to violate family and community tradition in order to achieve them” (Kessler-Harris xxxv). However, her ambitions are constantly hindered by poverty, which force her to prioritize survival over independence and personal growth. The oppressive nature of poverty is further exemplified by the character of Reb Smolinsky, who, not satisfied with the lack of economic stability, purchases a grocery store in an attempt to achieve social mobility. Motivated by the desire to raise the family’s standard of living, this project ultimately fails as the store turns out to be unprofitable, leaving Reb without money and unable to recoup his investment. Reb’s efforts underscore the deterministic forces, illustrating how the external conditions of poverty can nullify even the most determined attempts to improve one’s life. Through these narratives, Yezierska portrays how poverty serves as a barrier to social mobility. The characters’ lives are governed by economic constraints that limit their choices and hinder their progress. This struggle against poverty is consistent with the naturalistic idea that social and environmental factors outside an individual’s control affect their destiny. 6.3 Family Relationships The Smolinsky family, headed by the authoritarian patriarch Reb Smolinsky, embodies the conflicts that arise within immigrant families as older traditions clash with the aspirations of the younger generation. As a devout Orthodox Jew, Reb places a strong emphasis on religious observance to Jewish law. He is committed to preserving the family’s cultural and religious heritage, viewing it as a source of identity and strength in the face of assimilation and cultural change. In this way, he aims to continue with the values of marriage, education, gender roles and parental authority, among others. 15 As a man from the Old World, respect towards a man, particularly towards their father, is the main quality his daughters must exhibit. Bessie, the eldest daughter, is a clear example of this respect, as she conforms closely to her father’s expectations of traditional femininity and obedience. Her dedication to her father is so unwavering that her father’s well-being is even more important than her desires. Consequently, when she has the opportunity to go with her loved one, she decides not to as she states “I couldn’t leave my father, he needs me” (Yezierska 50). This loyalty to her father is also evident when she says “I couldn’t marry a man that don’t respect my father”. Fania, although more opposed to her father’s demands, ultimately yields to threats such as “either you listen to what I say, or out you go of this house!” or “such shameless unwomanliness as a girl telling her father this man I want to marry!” (Yezierska 76). In contrast, Sara challenges Reb’s authority and the old-world values he represents as she is the one who stands up to her father the most for wanting to follow her own path in life. Reb’s inability to understand Sara’s desire for autonomy is evident in his lament: “What’s the world coming to in this wild America? No respect for fathers” (Yezierska 135). Witnessing the limited opportunities and oppressive conditions faced by her married sisters, Sara becomes even more determined to forge her own path and pursue her dreams, despite the familial and societal pressures to conform to traditional expectations. She asserts her independence by declaring “here, in America, ... girls pick out for themselves the men they want for husbands” (76). Yezierska showing Sara’s determination to live on her own life is further illustrated when she states “Should I let him crush me as he crushed them? No. This is America, where children are people” (135). Sara’s recognition of her individual rights as an American contrasts with her father’s rigid traditional values. Sara finally realizes that any attempt to gain her father’s understanding is pointless: “I saw there was no use talking. He could never understand. He was the Old World. I was the New” (Yezierska 207). Her recognition of this division highlights the novel’s theme of naturalism and social determinism, where the characters’ lives are shaped by tradition and changes. Reb’s attempts to maintain his old-world authority in 16 the face of new-world independence underscore the struggles of immigrant families as they navigate the tension between cultural preservation and assimilation. 6.4 Gender Roles and Expectations In Bread Givers, gender roles and expectations play a crucial role in shaping the destinies of the characters, reflecting the deterministic themes central to naturalism. The novel delves into the strict patriarchal norms of early twentieth-century Jewish families, highlighting the limitations faced by women, particularly Sara and her sisters. Society expects women to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers above everything else as “women could get into Heaven because they were wives and daughters of men” (Yezierska 9). They are expected to dedicate themselves to their family’s well-being, childcare and house duties. Men seek wives primarily for their utility in managing household responsibilities, as illustrated by the sentence “If a man wants a wife, he looks for one who can cook for him, and wash for him, and carry the burden of his house for him” (Yezierska 64). Outside the home, women have limited autonomy and are often financially dependent on their husbands. The notion that “No girl can live without a father or a husband to look out for her” and that “Only through a man has a woman an existence” (Yezierska 137) underscores the societal belief that women’s identities are tied to men. Unmarried women are subject to harsh social judgment as women are only respectable after marriage, as highlighted by the belief that “People would respect her and not point their fingers on her for a cursed old maid that no man wants” (Yezierska 95). This pressure from society is an obvious example of social determinism, in which women’s lives are largely determined by their marriage status. Society also imposes expectations on women’s behavior and appearance. Modesty, chastity and obedience are valued virtues for women of the period. Bessie, for example, is considered a suitable candidate for a marriage for being “quiet as a dove” and for “looking up to a man with that highest respect” (Yezierska 102). Consequently, Reb Smolinsky closely monitors his daughters’ interactions with men and imposes strict rules to safeguard their virtue. 17 Women’s appearance is also subject to societal criticism. In the novel, Reb Smolinsky imposes strict rules on his daughter’s clothing and appearance, insisting that they dress respecting traditional standards of femininity. For instance, when Reb decides that Zalmon is going to marry Bessie, he goes to get the finest dress on Grand Street so that his daughter can wear it and look good to her future husband (Yezierska 98). This influence over their looks serves to highlight how external society norms shape the characters’ identities and choices. Through the portrayal of these gender roles and expectations, Bread Givers illustrates the oppressive impact of these norms on women’s lives. The novel reveals how the characters’ fates are linked to traditional values and beliefs of the community, highlighting the lack of personal freedom for women. This picture emphasizes how their surroundings are deterministic, with external social influences dictating how their lives will develop. 6.5 Marriage Marriage is depicted as a restrictive force that profoundly influences the lives of the characters, particularly women. The novel delves into the traditional and often oppressive expectations surrounding marriage within early twentieth-century Jewish immigrant families. Through the experiences of Sara and her sisters, the novel highlights the social pressures and expectations that shape women’s lives. Reb Smolinsky arranges the marriages of his daughters based on financial gain and social status rather than their happiness. For him, his daughters serve as the primary means of his support, allowing him to live in freedom without having to work. Therefore, when he decides it is time to marry off his daughters, the first thing Smolinsky asks the suitors is, “Who is he? What is he? By what does he work?” (Yezierska 68) and “How much wages do you earn?” (Yezierska 43). He seeks not only financial stability for his daughters but also for himself, even going so far as to ask the suitors for money to marry his daughters, arguing they should not forget that when one 18 of them “gets married, who’ll carry me the burden of this house? She earns me the biggest wages” (Yezierska 45). The only thing that matters to him is the money the marriage could bring him, and therefore, he chooses his daughters’ suitors without even knowing them personally. When the mother asks him “But what do you know about him? Who is he? What is he?”, the only thing that seems to matter to Reb is their work as he responds: “a diamond-dealer! What more can you ask?” (Yezierska 74). He believes that “with this diamond-dealer in the family, all our troubles are over” (Yezierska 77). Besides financial stability, what society and the neighbors might think is important to him, and he despises the men his daughters like for their appearance or job. This is the case with Morris Lipkin, Fania’s suitor, whom he despises for his work as a poet, as seen in sentences such as, “How would I look before the world if I introduced such a hunger-squeezed nobody for a son-in-law?” (Yezierska 75). This approach reflects the naturalistic themes of the novel, where characters’ lives and decisions are determined by external forces beyond their control. For instance, when arranging the marriage between Zalmon and Bessie, Reb had already made the decision before consulting his daughter. He prioritizes Zalmon’s financial stability over Bessie’s feelings. The daughters, consequently, are unhappy with their husbands as the arrangements are not based on love but on economic and social convenience. They feel miserable and used, as Fania admits while talking about her husband, “He buys me jewelry, only to show me off to his friends that he’s so rich”. Bessie, too, feels trapped, confessing that “carp, flounder, pike, morning, noon, and night” are the only things in her life (Yezierska 176). The only solace in their lives was their children, as Sara notes that talking about them was the only time her sisters’ eyes sparkled. Considering that marriages are a way to achieve social status, economic stability, or some other benefit, love takes a back seat. Therefore, when one partner dies, the pain is nonexistent. This is the case with Zalmon, who, after his wife died, decides to approach Reb: “In another week, the thirty days after my wife’s death will be up. So I could marry myself again. Have you got something good for me on your list?” (Yezierska 91). 19 The way that marriage is portrayed in Bread Givers highlights the deterministic factors at work and shows how the characters’ lives and actions are shaped by social and economic constraints. It draws attention to the social determinism subject by demonstrating how societal expectations and demands limit people’s freedom of choice. 6.6 The Ambiguity of Success Unlike her sisters, Sara is determined and clear about her aspirations from the very beginning. She does not want to dedicate herself to her family or her husband, instead declaring, “Knowledge was what I wanted more than anything else in the world” (Yezierska 208). This persistent desire for knowledge and independence is shown as a valiant struggle against the societal and familial limitations placed upon her throughout the course of the novel. Despite her ultimate achievement of a teacher’s diploma, her success is tinged with profound ambiguity. Sara’s attainment of her teacher’s diploma represents a significant triumph over the adversities she faced as an immigrant and a woman in early twentieth-century America. In addition to becoming a teacher, she wins a contest that earns her a thousand dollars. She is able to eat and buy whatever she wants and rent the room she had always dreamed of since “the dark night of poverty was over”. Yet, this achievement is juxtaposed with the protagonist’s incomplete satisfaction as she can not understand her feelings: “Now I was the teacher. Why didn’t I feel as I had supposed this superior creature felt?” and “the goal was here. Why was I so silent? So empty?” (Yezierska 269). Regardless of the achievement, she realizes what she has lost in the process: “So this is what it cost, daring to follow the urge in me. No father. No lover. No family. No friend. I must go on and on. And I must go on — alone” (Yezierska 208). As the novel concludes, “Successful at last, she visits her parents, teacher’s diploma in hand” but “she is only good to the world, not to her father.” This statement underscores the complex nature of her success. While she has gained recognition and a sense of self-confidence from her mother and the external world, she remains separate from her father as he is unable to recognize the achievements of her daughter due to the traditional values he represents. Whenever she achieves something and feels happy, the 20 image of her father would come to mind, and she could not help but feel guilty because “I leave him in his old age, when he needs me most. Helpless as a child he is” (Yezierska 285). For this reason, Sara always feels the need to help her father again and take him home if he needs it, even if that means returning to the beginnings when Sara spent so much time with her father that she came to hate him and yearn for her freedom. This realistic portrayal challenges the romanticized notion of the American Dream and instead emphasizes the naturalistic idea that success is not solely a product of individual effort. Instead, it is deeply influenced by determined external forces. Sara’s journey underscores the harsh reality that, despite her perseverance and eventual professional achievement, she cannot entirely escape the constraints of her background. This critical viewpoint on the American Dream highlights the difficulties that immigrants and other oppressed people frequently endure. Moreover, the pessimism of the ending further underscores the naturalistic themes within the novel. Despite Sara’s clear achievements, she still struggles to find emotional and family fulfillment. Her father’s ongoing disapproval and the unresolved issues within her family show the strong influence of social and biological determinism. The novel ends on a sad note, highlighting that personal successes often come with big, unavoidable costs. This pessimistic view makes the reader think about how much control individuals really have, and the harsh realities faced by those who dare to defy societal expectations. 7. Conclusions The primary objective of this dissertation was to analyze Anzia Yezierska’s Bread Givers through the lens of social determinism, a crucial principle of American literary naturalism. This analysis aimed to understand how socio-economic environments shaped the destinies of the characters and established Yezierska as a significant figure within the naturalistic literary tradition. Firstly, the cultural and historical context of early twentieth-century America, marked by significant advancements, urbanization, and influx of immigrants, influenced 21 Yezierska’s writing. Besides, her personal experiences as a Jewish immigrant herself provided her with a unique perspective, which she showed in her narrative by highlighting the harsh realities and struggles in the new world. This context was crucial for understanding the deterministic forces in the lives of her characters, as they navigated the challenges of poverty, cultural assimilation, and gender roles. The exploration of naturalism as a literary movement revealed its fundamental ideas, including an emphasis on determinism, objective narrative, pessimism, and a focus on the lower classes. These ideas were very much in line with Yezierska’s work. Her portrayal of the Smolinsky family’s life in New York City captured the deterministic forces mentioned, emphasizing how characters’ opportunities and choices were limited by societal pressures, poverty, and cultural expectations. This focus on external influences and the lack of control over one’s fate was a crucial feature of naturalistic literature, reinforcing the novel’s place within this genre. Furthermore, the study highlighted Yezierska’s distinctive contribution to naturalism through her portrayal of the immigrant experience, emphasizing the challenges faced by Jewish immigrants in America, especially women. Bread Givers illustrated how economic hardship and cultural conflicts collectively constrained the characters’ lives, underscoring the novel’s naturalistic qualities. Poverty served as a powerful external force that limits characters’ opportunities. Family relationships, particularly between Sara and Reb Smolinsky, were portrayed as complex as they were influenced by cultural expectations and socio-economic pressures, highlighting social determinism. Gender roles further illustrated the deterministic nature of their lives, confining women to specific roles. Marriage in Bread Givers was portrayed as a means of economic survival as well as a societal requirement. Characters’ choices were dictated by financial necessity rather than personal desire, exemplifying deterministic forces. Moreover, the ambiguity of success in the novel highlighted the persistent influence of social determinism. There was an emphasis that success did not correspond to freedom from the deterministic forces that controlled their existence. Thus, Yezierska’s work went beyond a simple deterministic narrative by providing an exploration of these forces, demonstrating how they collectively shaped individual destinies. 22