Part I: Children of the Ghetto
Preface:
Chapter 1: The Bread of Affliction
In what circumstances is Esther Ansell introduced? What do we learn about her character? What problems does she face at school and at home? Do these remind you of those of other characters in novels you have encountered?
What is the effect of the chapter’s contrasts between rich and poor?
Chapter 2: The Sweater
What attitude towards marriage and ethnic divisions are revealed at the Belcovitch family wedding? To what do they attribute the survival of their daughter? (82)
What gentle sarcasms are directed by the narrator against Jewish scholarship (89)
Why do you think “the sweater” is presented in a family setting?
What are Bear Belcovitch’s virtues and limitations? (93)
Chapter 3: Malka
What is Malka’s attitude toward her former brother-in-law Moses Ansell? What are her own family relationships? Her views on religion?
How are neighborhood relationships characterized in this chapter?
What does Malka disapprove of in Moses’ conduct toward his children? What orthodox views of women does Moses proclaim? (106)
Chapter 4: The Redemption of the Son and the Daughter
What do we learn of Malka’s husband Michael? (108) What are her attitudes toward childbearing? (109)
To what does the chapter title refer?
What other characters are introduced in this chapter? (Reb Shemuel’s wife and daughter Hannah, Myriam Hyams and her father) How are Myriam and Hannah contrasted? (113)
Why does the narrator suggest a poem to fried fish? (115) Is he sincere?
What problem does Sam Levin inadvertently cause by not handing his engagement ring immediately to his fianceé? Who decides that he is legally married under Jewish law? (117) What solution is proposed?
What may be some reasons for the author’s creation of this incident? What contrasts in Jewish communities does it reveal?
Chapter 5: The Pauper Alien
What has been the history of Moses Ansell and his family? What had been the character and temperament of Gittell Ansell? How did her death affect the family? (she had been the more skeptical, 123)
What problems does Moses’ mother add to his life?
Of which aspects of conservative orthodox Jewish culture does the narrative voice seem to disapprove? (129)
Chapter 6: “Reb” Shemuel
What are the rabbi’s good traits? What anxieties preoccupy his wife? How does Levi respond to the discussion of Hannah’s possible marriage? (135) What views does Hannah express of the marriage market? (135) Why doesn’t she wish to marry? (135)
What prescriptions limit the Jacobs’ life? (136)
Chapter 7, Neo-Hebrew Poet
How is the reader expected to respond to Melchisedek Pinchas? How is her satirized? (139)
What is the purpose of inserting the exchange of jokes? Of what do they make fun? (143)
What is the relationship of Hannah and her father? How do they differ in their views of the marriage by proxy? (145) What quarrel is resolved by the Rabbi? (146)
Chapter 8, Esther and her Children
What do we learn in this chapter about the character of the Ansell children, especially Esther? (199, serious, responsible) What traits are possessed by Solomon?
What does Esther learn in school? (Anglization, 152)
How does Moses entertain his children? (reads to them, explains the Law)
Chapter 9, Dutch Debby
What problems have overcome Dutch Debby? (born an illegitimate child, 160, an isolated needlewoman
Why do she and Esther become close? (she is kind to Esther, permits her to read her magazines, 160) What form of reading does she introduce to Esther? (stories in the London Journal)
Why does Esther feel reluctant to aspire to the life of a teacher? (isn’t wealthy enough, 162)
What light do her anecdotes shed on the priorities of Myriam Hyams, her teacher?
How does Zangwill satirize romance literature in this chapter? 163
What causes Esther to visit with Debby less often? (Her father disapproves. She has to tend her siblings and doesn’t want to take food.)
Chapter 10: A Silent Family
How is Sugarman the matchmaker presented? (166, tries to sell lottery tickets) Why does Mrs. Hyams not wear the traditional wig of her background?
What do we learn of Daniel Hyams? (167) Why can’t he marry Bessie Sugarman, whom he loves? (168)
What emotions seethe in the Hyams family? What misunderstandings fail to be clarified? (169, 170) Why can’t the father be employed? (169, to maintain status)
What are their respective goals? (Mendel, to die in Jerusalem, 170)
Chapter 11: The Purim Ball
What happens at the Purim Ball? What draws David Brandon and Hannah to each other? To what restlessness does Hannah confess? (constrained, 178, tired of kosher rules) What are David’s views on orthodox Judaism? (179)
Chapter 12: The Sons of the Covenant
Who are the “sons of the covenant”? (183, 185)
What points of view are represented in their assemblage?
Does the narrative make any implied criticism of their behavior toward their preacher? (they underpay him, 188) What is humorous about the Shamnos’ offer?
What value judgments seem placed on the rabbinical scholars in their midst, such as Karlkammer?
Which generation seems most involved in their plans?
Chapter 13: Sugarman’s Bar-Mitzvah Party
What type of conversation occurs at the party? 194
What do we learn about the scholars Gabriel Hamburg and Joseph Strelitski?
Why does the latter not accept the former’s offer of patronage? (pride, 197)
Why did Sugarman tell his wife she should have had a fourth uncle? (199)
Chapter 14: The Hope of the Family
What changes have occurred in Benjamin Ansell’s values during his absence from home? (ashamed of his family, chiefly concerned about status)
What has he forgotten? (Yiddish, Hebrew)
How does his reaction to his family reflect the difficulties of adjustment in a new land? (he’s selfish, ungrateful, 204, ashamed of his parents, 206)
What form of assimilation does Benjamin object to in Esther? (she speaks Yiddish, reads the New Testament) What seem to be their different forms of rebellion against the old ways?
Chapter 15: The Holy Land League
Who are some of the founders of London Zionism? What different factions or points of view are represented by their speeches? Who is finally voted president? (Guedalyah the greengrocer)
How is Pinchas undercut? (wants to restablish polygamy, 215) Would he be a good husband for Hannah? (vain and egotistical)
Judging from this book, what do you think may have been Zangwill’s own reaction to Zionism?
Chapter 16: The Courtship of Shosshi Shnendrik
Why does Shosshi’s courtship of Bessie Belcovitch fail? How does his second courtship with the widow Finklestein succeed?
What seems the point of including this story?
Chapter 17: The Hymans’ Honeymoon
On what grounds does Myriam object to Daniel’s relationship with Bessie Sugarman? (238)
Why hasn’t Mendel Hyman been able to work as a stone mason in England? (241)
What expedient does he frame for helping his children? (242)
What is revealed by the fact that his children can’t read a Hebrew letter? (243) What is revealed of the children’s character in their respective partings? (245)
Why is Mendel Hymans dissatisfied with Jerusalem? (246)
Where do the author’s/text’s sympathies lie in this family saga?
Chapter 18: The Hebrew’s Friday Night
What is Pinchas’ attitude toward his fellow Zionists? (247)
How do the Rabbi’s family celebrate the Sabbath? (249)
How do Hannah and her father each respond to Pinchas’ marriage proposal? (253)
How does her father react to the news of her desire to marry David Brandon? (253)
How are Hannah’s emotions of love described? (255)
Chapter 19: With the Strikers
How does Pinchas react to the rejection of his proposal? (258)
What are the goals of the strikers, as presented by their leader Simon Wolf? (260) What advice does Pinchas give him? (261) What does this show about his character? (261)
What are the strikers’ demands? Why has Moses Ansell joined them? 263 What events disrupt the meeting, and how are these ironic? (268)
Chapter 20: The Hope Extinct
Under what circumstances does Benjamin Ansell die?
What are some notable aspects of Moses Ansell’s preparations for visiting his dying son? (271, prays first)
What are especially sad features of his death? (father and son cannot understand each other)
To what emotions and language does Benjamin return before his death? (275)
Chapter 21: The Jargon Players
What are the subjects of Pinchas’ play? (satirizes all his enemies) What is its fate? (281, flops)
Chapter 22: “For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear”
What are some customs and practices associated with the East End Passover?
Chapter 23: The Dead Monkey
What is the story of the dead monkey, and how may it relate to the events of the chapter?
What characterizes the bartering and bargaining described? (287, comic exaggeration and expression)
What misfortune happens to Esther? Is it partially retrieved? (288)
Chapter 24: The Shadow of Religion
What characterizes the Rabbi’s welcome of David Brandon into his home?
What “shadow of religion” breaks everyone’s satisfaction? What protest is made by David? (303)
Chapter 25: Seder Night
What Passover celebrations did the Ansells manage?
What does Hannah agree on in her meeting with David Brandon? (311) How does Hannah feel on this Passover night?
Why in the end does she refuse to elope with David Brandon? (318, her father so unhappy at the defection of his son, hates to wound her parents)
How does the first section of the book end? What problems have been left for later resolution?
"Children of the Ghetto," part II
Chapter 1, “The Christmas Dinner”
What is the significance of the title?
What points are raised in the conversation about “Edward Armitage”? What might have been Zangwill’s reactions to the criticisms made of him? [325, It has been suggested that the response to Amy Levy’s Reuben Sachs may have inspired these scenes.]
What is the significance of the contrast made between Mordecai Josephs and Daniel Deronda? What implicit criticism may Zangwill be making of George Eliot’s treatment of the Zionist issue? (334)
What do you make of the fact that the Jewish people at the party attempt to avoid holidaying near their fellow Jews? (337)
Chapter 2, “Raphael Leon”
What do we learn of Esther’s life since childhood? Did she enjoy her life as a teacher? (344) What reasons are given for her changes in outlook?
What is added to the plot by the fact that her father and siblings have been sent to the United States? (345)
What symbolism is embedded in Raphael Leon’s name? What plans does he make for his new newspaper?
Chapter 3, “The Flag of Judah”
Under what circumstances is Raphael made editor? What are some comic features of the selection process?
Chapter 4, “The Troubles of the Editor”
What troubles are referred to in the title? What are some humorous aspects of the portrayal of Pinchas? Why do you think Zangwill includes him?
Chapter 5, “A Woman’s Growth”
About what subjects do Esther and Raphael debate? What type of material will she write for his newspaper?
On what basis does he criticize “Edward Armitage”?
What old childhood acquaintance comes for dinner? Why does Esther dislike Joseph Strelitski?
Chapter 6, “Comedy or Tragedy”
To what does the title of the chapter refer? What does Esther learn about Leonard James when she meets him again? How has he behaved toward his family?
What has been the outcome of his legal apprenticeship? (396) How have his actions affected his sister?
Under what conditions do we learn of Sidney’s engagement, and to whom is he engaged?
Why does Raphael not join his friends at the theater? What effect does Raphael’s presence seem to have on his friends?
Chapter 7, “What the Years Brought”
On what grounds has Esther’s book been hostilely reviewed?
What is the nature of Leonard James’ courtship of Esther? Does she consider him a likely prospect for a husband? How does he respond to her rejection? (flies into a rage and insults her)
To what does the title of the chapter refer?
Chapter 8, “The End of a Generation”
What important ritual does Leonard forget? Under what circumstances does his father encounter him, and how does Leonard react? (jumps into a hansom and shakes him off)
What do you make of Leonard’s explanation to his companion, and her response? What does this incident show about Leonard’s sense of priorities?
Chapter 9, “The ‘Flag’ Flutters”
How successful is the newspaper, and on what grounds? (412) What kinds of positions are taken by its editorial voice?
What points may Zangwill be making about the difficulties of editing a good yet partisan newspaper?
What roles do his subeditor and Pinchas play in Zanwill’s woes?
What prompts Esther to visit the newspaper office?
Chapter 10, “Esther Defies the Universe”
What radical step has Esther determined to take, and why? Why has she become disillusioned with her life at the Goldsmiths? What information does she give Raphael as she bids him farewell?
Chapter 11, “Going Home”
What is in the letter Esther leaves for Mrs. Goldsmith? What startling act does she commit? (burns her verse)
What is the significance of her decision to revisit the ghetto in which she was raised?
Chapter 12, “A Sheaf of Sequels”
Whom does she meet in the ghetto? Which persons are genuinely glad to see her? What has happened to Dutch Debby and Hannah? How have her relationships been altered by the intervening years?
Chapter 13, “The Dead Monkey Again”
To what does the title refer? What gain has Esther achieved, and at what cost? What do we learn from the description of the charities in which Hannah and Esther engage?
Chapter 14, “Sidney Settles Down”
Why couldn’t Sidney marry his Methodist betrothed? What are the ideological implications of his change of heart? Is his new marriage likely to be a congenial one? (marries happily within his community)
Chapter 15, “From Soul to Soul”
Why does Strelinski decide to resign his job as a minister? What are his new ambitions? (wishes to emigrate and found a new religion of peace) What is unusual about these new goals? To what extent do you think they may have resembled Zangwill’s own?
What is Srelinski’s view of Zionism? (475-77, rejects Zionism in favor of an inner vision)
What event changes Raphael’s plans? On what pretext is he fired, and by whom? (Harry Goldsmith)
Chapter 16, “Love’s Temptation”
Why is love seen as a temptation?
Where does Raphael encounter Esther, and what ideals for Judaism does he express to her? (487) Of what plans does she inform him? (leaving for US) Who else will be leaving, and with what purpose? (Strelitski is emigrating to preach a universal Judaism, 489)
How does Esther respond to Raphael’s romantic overtures and his proposal? (490-91) What emotions may lie behind her reluctance?
Chapter 17, “The Prodigal Son”
What important emotional truth does Hannah tell her father, and under what circumstances?
What is the significance of the final reconciliation between Levi and his father? What contradictions have been exemplied in Levi’s life and death?
What parallels and contrasts do you find between this scene and other deathbed reconciliations in the book? In the roles performed by sons and daughters?
Chapter 18, “Hopes and Dreams”
What symbolism is associated with Esther’s attendance of Yom Kippur?
Do you augur anything from the fact that Strelitski catches her when she faints?
What seems to be the tone and meaning of the ending? What is added by the fact that Raphael and Esther have pledged their love? Does it seem likely that they will be reunited?
Within the context of the novel, what seems the significance of the fact that Esther leaves for Chicago? Does the book end on a note of hope? Is it appropriate that the ending be open-ended?
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What view does the author give of courtship and marriage? What do we learn about the characters of those who marry?
How would you characterize Zangwill's style? How does it resemble/differ from that of Victorian authors such as Gaskell, Eliot or Hardy? What values seem embodied in the authorial voice?
What purpose is served by the embedded jokes throughout?
What are some parallels between the themes of this novel and others you have read? What are some of its distinctive traits?
How does this novel seem to reflect values of the fin de siecle or of early modernism? How can you tell it was written after the mid-Victorian period?
How does Zangwill’s treatment of religion in this novel compare with that of other major Victorian novelists? If there are major differences, how do you account for them?
Are there issues raised by the novel which are still relevant in contemporary
society? e. g. law vs. spirit/
assimilation vs. ethnicity
generational differences under stress
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